§ 43. Mr. Beswickasked the Parliamentary to the Ministry of Defence whether, in view of the numbers who have completed National Service training since the Z Reserve training scheme was started, and in view of the advancing age of many of those liable for Z Reserve training, he will consider the winding up of the Z Reserve training scheme; and if he will make a statement about the Government's proposals in this regard for 1953.
§ Mr. BirchThe question of refresher training for reservists in 1953 is at present under consideration and the House will in due course be informed of the Government's intentions in this matter.
§ Mr. BeswickCan the Minister assure the House that what began as a temporary measure in an emergency will not harden into a permanent arrangement? Can he tell us when the statement will be made?
§ Mr. BirchI cannot give a definite date. The announcement about Z training by the late Government was only made in January. We hope to be able to do a great deal better than that.
§ Mr. GrimondCan the hon. Gentleman say whether it is his intention to have an upper limit on the age of those called up for Z training.
§ Mr. BirchNo definite upper limit has been imposed for the moment. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that there are cases of men who have special scientific or other qualifications and who are in a special position. I think I have misinformed the hon. Gentleman. There is an upper limit, but it is a very high one. I am sorry; I was wrong.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe hon. Gentleman would not wish to mislead the House; I am sure he did so quite unwittingly. Is it not the case that the upper age limit is 40, except in special cases where technical persons are involved?
§ Mr. BirchIt was a slip of the tongue to say that there was no upper limit, but there are exceptions for technical personnel.
§ Mr. WiggWould the hon. Gentleman agree that the necessity for the continuation of the Z call-up comes about because the Government completely failed to recruit enough Regulars?