§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many of the militiamen now being called up will be required for service in the Navy, and whether those who serve in the Navy will be able subsequently to embrace the Navy as a career should they wish to do so?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe number of men which the Admiralty are intending to enrol in the Royal Naval Special Reserve (the force established under the Military Training Act, 1939, to provide an opportunity for naval training for men who would otherwise be liable to enlist in the Militia) is about 12,000 to 13,000 a year. In the present year, the lack of training facilities will restrict the number to some extent. The first batch of men will be called up for training on 16th August.
Men of the Royal Naval Special Reserve will be allowed to enter the Royal Navy or the Royal Marines if they wish to do so, provided that they satisfy the conditions laid down for the active service and subject to the existence of vacancies.