§ 4.16 p.m.
§ LORD SNELLMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government whether they can make any statement as to the calling up of militiamen, reservists and auxiliary forces.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (EARL STANHOPE)My Lords, on the assumption that the Military Training Bill receives the Royal Assent before Whitsun, registration of all men between the ages of 20 and 21 years who are liable under the Bill will take place on Saturday, June 3. Full details as to the method of registration will be given in good time and will be widely published. Medical examination of men registered will commence on Thursday, June 8, with at least two days' clear notice in each case. The first group of men to be called up, consisting of between 40,000 and 50,000, will receive their calling-up notices on or about Saturday, July 1, requiring them to report to their units a fortnight later. Subsequent groups will be called up for training at intervals of two months. Subject to any variations that may be necessary on in- 1050 dustrial or other grounds, men will be called up in age order, the oldest first and the youngest last.
Provided the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Bill has become law, the Admiralty propose to call up into service, to increase the preparedness of the Fleet, the following reservists as from June 15:—First, half the Royal Fleet Reserve, Class D—that is the immediate class—for a period of three months from June 15, and the second half of this class of the Reserve similarly in the middle of September for a like period. Secondly, about 750 pensioners for three months from June 15, followed by a similar number for the three months from the middle of September. Pensioners who have most recently completed their time will be called up for this service. Thirdly, about 50 wireless and signal ratings of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer (Wireless) Reserve, for three months from June 15, and a similar number for the subsequent three months. Fourthly, about 300 men of the Royal Naval Reserve Patrol Service for three months from June 15, and a like number for the subsequent three months. Fifthly, the necessary number of retired and reserve officers will be called up for a period of six months from June 15.
In the case of the Army, the first group of Territorial anti-aircraft units will be called up to report on June 11 and the first group of reservists on June 15. A provisional warning is being issued to those affected. As regards the Royal Air Force, it is intended to call up by groups the Auxiliary Air Force personnel of the London Squadrons of the Balloon Barrage, and the first group will be called up to report on June 11.