HC Deb 16 February 1954 vol 523 cc1791-2
11. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers have completed their period of National Service since January, 1951; how many have been transferred to the Reserve Forces for training; and how many are now undergoing Reserve training.

Mr. Head

By 31st December last year, 8,715 officers and 313,000 other ranks had completed their whole-time service and been transfered to the Reserve Forces for training. All these men, with a very few exceptions, will carry out part-time training.

Mr. Chetwynd

Is the Secretary of State satisfied that we are getting full military value from this period of Reserve training in the Territorial Army?

Mr. Head

I do not believe that arrangements will ever be perfect, but our object is to get the best value both for the men and out of them that we possibly can in part-time training.

12. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers undergoing Reserve training are serving in units for which they were not trained during their period of National Service; and how many are receiving no training because suitable units are not available within reasonable reach of the reservist's home.

Mr. Head

Of those transferred to part-time service between 1st July, 1952, and 31st December, 1953, about one man in seven was transferred to a corps or arm in which he had not done his whole-time service. Where there is no suitable Territorial Army unit near a man's home, he carries out his part-time training in the Army Emergency Reserve elsewhere.

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