§ Mr. Pagetasked the Minister of Defence (1) the number of men who have been demobilised without receiving demobilisation clothes up to date; the maximum period which these men have served; and what cash grants have been made in lieu of demobilisation clothing;
(2) how many men with service of over 12 months have been and will be discharged without receiving demobilisation clothing; how many clothing coupons they have and will receive; and whether the number of clothing coupons bears any relation to the length of service.
§ Mr. AlexanderAll men who were called up under the National Service Acts before 1st January, 1947, and who have been, or will be, released under the age and service scheme, and all other ranks released from Regular engagements during the currency of that release scheme have received, or will receive demobilisation clothing except those
- (a) with less than six months service;
- (b) discharged with ignominy, for misconduct, or on conviction by the civil power;
- (c) discharged for having misstated age, with less than 12 months service, who are not eligible for war gratuity;
- (d) who had previously received a civilian outfit or cash grant in lieu before 6th October, 1944, and had not served for at least six months after rejoining;
- (e) discharged overseas or invalided in circumstances which made the issue of clothing impracticable.
Cash allowances in lieu of clothing have been paid only to those in category (e); the allowance for men invalided at home is £12 10s.; the allowances for those discharged overseas vary with the locality. In addition all men released under the age and service scheme or discharged during the operation of that scheme receive 90 coupons, plus 26 more at a later date if they were released before 31st December, 1947. Arrangements, however, are in hand to provide men discharged from Regular engagements with 60 coupons for five or more years' service as Regulars and 30 if they have completed four years' service as such.
As regards men called up under the National Service Acts during 1947 and 1948, I would refer my hon. Friend to 183W my reply to a question by the hon. Member for stockport (Wing-Commander Hulbert) on 5th May. None of these men has yet been released in the ordinary course. Arrangements are being made for those who are, for any reason, prematurely released to receive clothing coupons on the following scale:
(a) more than 12 months' service 60 (b) six months' to 12 months' service 30 (c) less than six months' service Nil. I regret that it would not be possible to give the number of men in the various categories without an undue amount of work.