HC Deb 07 June 1945 vol 411 cc1094-5W
Mr. W. J. Brown

asked the Minister of Labour whether the demobilisation arrangements announced by the Government will apply to the Army Pay Department and the R.A.F. accounts section.

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Bellenģer

asked the Secretary of State for War what instructions have been issued having the effect of retaining officers and men of the R.A.P.C. in the Service, beyond the period counting for release, under the demobilisation plan.

Sir J. Griģģ

In order to send young men into combatant arms these offices have been for some years staffed as far as possible with older men who are now in early release groups. The work of the R.A.P.C., particularly in regimental pay offices at home, will not be reduced as quickly as the work in some other branches of the Army and it is essential that they should continue to function efficiently and carry out the new duties arising from the Release Scheme. The application of this Scheme to these establishments will therefore involve special difficulties particularly in the case of officers. As soon as the war in Europe ended arrangements were put in hand to provide officers in replacement of those due for release. These should be trained and available in the last months of this year. Meanwhile instructions have been issued that officers should be released in their turn if they can be spared and I am hopeful that some releases will be possible in the next few months in spite of the exceptional difficulties to which I have referred.

In the case of other ranks the proportion of those in the very early release groups is not so high. Instructions have been issued to release those in the first three groups when they are due, and I do not at present foresee that there will be any appreciable delay with the later groups. This will, however, depend to some, extent on how many married A.T.S. in the R.A.P.C. remain in the Service.