HC Deb 16 October 1945 vol 414 cc955-6W
Major Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the necessity of attracting young men of high quality into the post-war Regular Army both as officers and as other ranks, he will arrange for an immediate reconsideration both of rates of, pay and of conditions of service in the Regular Army.

Mr. Lawson

This question is already being actively considered, and I hope that we shall soon be able to announce new terms of service and revised pay for those who want to make the Army their career.

Brigadier Low

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of excellent officers, warrant officers and N.C.O.'s who had been considering making the Army their career after the war have now decided not to do so because of the uncertainty of the conditions of service; if such a reduction in the number of officers and N.C.O.'s staying on after their release group has affected the speed of release in the Army; and when he intends making a comprehensive statement giving the conditions of service for the post-war Army.

Mr. Lawson

In general, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to-day to other questions regarding the conditions of service in the post-war Army. As regards the specific point raised in the second part of the Question, the fact that a number of men have accepted release in lieu of joining the Regular Army has not had any material effect on the speed of release. The release scheme operates under a phased programme of age and service groups and the numbers involved in any particular group would not have been large enough to enable the phasing to be accelerated.

Mr. W. J. Brown

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now inform the House of his Ministry's proposals as to the size and conditions of service, etc. of the post-war Army.

Mr. Lawson

I am not yet able to make an exact estimate of the size of the post-war Army. The problem is being closely examined by the War Office, but the hon. Member will appreciate that the ultimate establishment for the post-war Army will depend on our total strategic commitments and how these can best be met by the three Services. It is clear, however, that considerable forces will be required for some time to come. The question of terms of service is now under active consideration and, as stated to-day in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Major Boyd-Carpenter) an announcement will be made in due course.