73. Dr. Bennettasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he now has any further statement to make about the prospects of release or retention of ratings who are due shortly to complete their time for gratuity or for pension, especially those who will be completing supplemental time of 18 months or of three years, respectively, bearing in mind the extreme personal uncertainty and loss of civilian opportunities that any continued indecision creates.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasI have, I regret, nothing to add to earlier statements of policy. The Fleet were informed in February last that it would be necessary to continue to retain all men coming to the end of their engagements, which would include those voluntary supplemental engagements referred to. The period of retention will be reduced progressively from 1953, but I am not able at present to be more precise.