Demobilisation

HC Deb 05 December 1945 vol 416 cc2462-3W

Mr. Mallalieu

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many teachers, serving as schoolmasters, have been offered Class B release.

Mr. Alexander

I would refer my hon. And gallant Friend to the reply given on 21st November by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the hon. Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Wilson Harris).

Mr. Collins

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that writers and other naval ratings are promulgated for release by 25th February, 1946, up to Group 27, as compared with an average release for other ratings up to Group 39 and for some ratings up to Group 60 by the same date; that earlier promulgations had stated that the gap between these groups would be narrowed down to six by 31st December, 1945; and if he will take steps to remuster men with high group numbers so as to remedy this injustice to the older men with long service.

Mr. Dumpleton

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the relative position of writers to other categories in regard to demobilisation and when the rate of releases of writers will be equal to other categories.

Mr. Alexander

I am aware that writers will be six groups behind the average release of naval ratings at 31st December, 1945.If the high rate of release in the rest of the Navy is to be maintained in 1946, it will only be possible to release in the first two months of next year two Age and Service groups of writers. Naval training capacity at home and abroad is being used to the utmost to remuster men and to train new entries, but I cannot yet state when the release of writers will catch up that of other branches.

Major Digby

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps are being taken to speed up the demobilisation of sick berth personnel serving with the R.N., in view of the fact that between 1st January, 1946, and 25th February, 1946, the release of this branch of the Service will be II groups behind the average and more than 20 groups behind some branches of the Service.

Mr. Alexander

An extensive programme of recruitment and training of sick berth ratings is being pressed forward with all speed, with a view to increasing the releases in this category.