§ 32. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for War how many of the Class Z reservists who have been recalled originally entered into the Forces in each of the years from 1939 to 1946, respectively.
§ Mr. StracheyInformation regarding the date of original entry into the Army of Z reservists selected for recall is not readily available. I have, however, arranged for the carrying out of a percentage check of the age and service groups of the reservists who are being recalled.
The House will recollect that the recall programme involves bringing certain Regular and Territorial units up to strength by the addition of Z reservists. The general principle adopted in selecting reservists for recall was that of "last out, first back," but this principle is qualified by the differing requirements of various arms and trades and the requirements of senior non-commissioned officers. This has involved the recall of a number of men in the lower age and service groups, particularly for units in Anti-Aircraft Command, where the average age of reservists is generally high.
Despite these considerations, the percentage check to which I have referred indicates that the "last out, first back" principle has operated in the case of the reservists to be recalled this year to a very marked degree. I will circulate the figures obtained in the OFFICIAL REPORT; these will show that of the reservists of age and service groups 1–28 who comprise half the Z Reserve, only some 1.6 per cent. are being recalled. On the other hand, of the reservists of age and service or release groups 29–150, 11.8 per cent. are being recalled.
5WFollowing is the table:
(a) (b) (c)* (d) Age and Service Groups Total Number in Z Reserve Number called up this year Per cent. of (c) to (b) 1–20 340,000 430 0.125 21–28 1,115,000 23,000 2 29–40 470,000 22,500 5 41–60 410,000 57,000 14 61–70 370,000 56,500 15 Later groups 200,000 36,500 18 All groups 2,905,000 195,930 7 * Estimated from a 10 per cent. check of all those called up.