HC Deb 28 June 1955 vol 543 cc182-3
30. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for War how many senior officers will be available for other duties as a result of the reorganisation of Anti-Aircraft Command; and how many will become redundant.

Mr. Head

Forty-three officers of the rank of colonel or above become available for other duties. Thirty have been found employment elsewhere, and thirteen are being retired on grounds of age. None are redundant.

Mr. Bellenger

Can the right hon. Gentleman say a little more about the thirty officers whom he has placed in other appointments? One would have imagined that the senior ranks were full in all the other establishments of the Army?

Mr. Head

A great many of the thirty have been found jobs in what is called E.R.E.—Extra-Regimental Employment—on such things as courses and the like. I am glad to say that, owing to the officer situation, we have not "axed" people—and it always would be our policy not to do so—before their careers are ended.

31. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state how many volunteers, mostly of the Territorial Army, have been enabled, through arrangements which he has made, to continue their services in other branches or arms arising out of the reorganisation of Anti-Aircraft Command; and how many have expressed a desire to resign.

Mr. Head

We shall not have any worth-while figures until August.