HC Deb 01 March 1965 vol 707 cc180-1W
87. Mr. John Wells

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken in each year in the last six years to recruit officers to the Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve.

Mr. Mayhew

The direct entry scheme for the R.N.V.S.R. was re-introduced in 1959. In response to a Press release, 207 inquiries were received resulting in 72 enrolments: this was followed by an Admiralty Fleet Order and in 1960 by a film which was shown on television. Neither produced a significant response. In 1960 also 1,200 letters and posters were issued to yacht clubs, universities and technical colleges, again with little response. Since that time publicity has been left to individual units: there have been about 10 enrolments each year.

88. Mr. John Wells

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the difference in training commitment between officers in the Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve and those on the lowest list of the Royal Naval Reserve.

Mr. Mayhew

In the R.N.V.S.R., direct entry officers undergo a seven-day acquaintance course on entry. This is the only training commitment in the R.N.V.S.R. itself but officers holding dormant appointments are periodically recalled, like R.N. retired officers, for short periods.

In the R.N.R., List 14 has the lowest training commitment. This list consists of R.N.R. officers who have already been fully trained and then transferred from higher training Lists. On their higher training list they had a training commitment of up to 80 drills and 14 days' continuous training per year, and on transfer to List 14 they receive 14 days' refresher training triennially. This is considered enough to keep these highly-trained officers reasonably up to date.