HC Deb 24 November 1953 vol 521 cc181-2
37. Mr. Hayman

asked the Secretary of State for War why the primary training of National Service men entering the Royal Army Pay Corps has to be completed in one month.

Mr. Head

The National Service entrant to this Corps does not complete his basic training in one month. His basic military training is not, however, carried out continuously for six weeks, but is spread over a longer period because he begins technical training in his fifth week.

Mr. Hayman

Will the Minister bear in mind that I have had information that the primary training in one unit has to be completed in a month, that at that place the men training are on duty from 5.45 a.m. until almost midnight, and does he not think that this is too much for a non-combatant unit, and will he take steps to see that it is regulated?

Mr. Head

If the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars, I will look into them, but I know of no unit in the Army where normally day-to-day duties start at 5.45 and end at midnight.