HC Deb 31 July 1957 vol 574 cc209-10W
119. Mr. Strachey

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the conditions and emoluments of permanent staff instructors to the Territorial Army are proving sufficient to induce adequate numbers of suitable noncommissioned officers to undertake this work; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Hare

The majority of permanent staff instructors for the Territorial Army are found from warrant officers and non-commissioned officers who are posted to this work as part of their normal duties. The balance is found from men with former service who have been enlisted on special short service engagements for this specific employment.

These men are above the normal age limit for other engagements. Their rate of pay is slightly smaller than the pay of corresponding ranks serving on normal Regular Army engagements; this is because they have no reserve liability and are not required to serve outside the areas of their homes unless the Territorial Army should be embodied. There is no difficulty in finding sufficient permanent staff instructors.