§ 40. Mr. Kershawasked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he has made to ensure that the medical categories of reservists are continuously known to him.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for War (Mr. Julian Amery)Reservists called out for training are examined at intervals laid down in Regulations. Members of the paid Regular Reserve are required to furnish quarterly a declaration as to their state of health. No arrangements are made for the Army General Reserve.
§ Mr. KershawIs my hon. Friend satisfied that these arrangements are, indeed, satisfactory? Is not it a fact that very recent experience has shown that a good many reservists were called up who were by no means fit for service when they arrived at depots?
§ Mr. AmeryThere might be some advantages in closer examination, but they would hardly justify the very considerable cost of regular medical examination of nearly 2¼ million men.
§ 41. Mr. Kershawasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will ensure that reservists recalled to the Colours at any time shall not include any who completed their service more than three years before such recall.
§ Mr. KershawBut is it not a fact that there are now, or very shortly will be, far more reservists than the Regular Army can possibly need at any one time? 376 If that is so, is it not also the case that the technical developments in the Army today make the man who has been away from it for, say, six years—or sometimes up to twelve years—almost useless in the case of quick mobilisation?
§ Mr. AmeryNo, Sir. Many of the men called up at the time of the Suez emergency were called up because of their civil techniques—fitters, engineers and so on. They gave splendid service, and I should like to take this opportunity of paying tribute to it.