HC Deb 03 April 1946 vol 421 cc213-4W
99. Major Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for War the average number of men per month who have been granted indefinite release in Class C on one man business grounds since 1st September, 1945; the average number of men per month whose indefinite release has been refused during the same period either because they were under 30 years of age or in an age and service group from which postings to the Far East are being made.

Mr. Bellenģer:

The average number of Class C releases of men per month from 1st September, 1945, to 28th February, 1946, was 3,497. We have no record of the exact number of those who were released on "one man business" grounds, but it is probably about half. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available.

100. Major Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for War in what way the release of men in Class A is affected by the release of men in Class C, whether indefinite or temporary.

Mr. Bellenģer:

Although over 20,000 men have been released under Class C since the beginning of the release scheme, this is a small proportion of the total number released or discharged. Releases of men under Class C at the present rate cannot, therefore, be said to affect materially release under Class A, but any appreciable increase in Class C releases might well affect other releases as the total numbers which can be released in all categories are governed by the commitments to be fulfilled by the Army.

101. Major Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that no man who has a good case for indefinite compassionate release on one-man business grounds, and who would have been indefinitely released had he not been under 30, or in an age and service group from which postings to the Far East are made, will be posted abroad.

Mr. Bellenģer:

Such an arrangement would be unfair to men in a similar position already serving overseas who are not in such cases normally brought home on compassionate grounds. Moreover, retention in the United Kingdom without release would seldom be of any great assistance to a man who wishes to keep open a one-man business. I cannot, therefore, give the assurance asked for.