HC Deb 14 February 1946 vol 419 cc148-52W
Mr. T. Macpherson

asked the Minister of Labour the rate of release per week from His Majesty's Forces from the end of the current demobilisation programme to the end of June; and what groups will be reached.

Mr. Isaacs

An interim statement is given below.

Under the provisional programme the estimated number of men and women released and discharged by the end of June will be 1,922,200, bringing the cumulative total since 18th June, 1945, up to 3,434,000. I am asked by the Service Ministers to make it clear that although as far as possible men and women will be released in accordance with this provisional programme, compulsory

RELEASES AND DISCHARGES FROM THE FORCES.
Provisional Programme January to June, 1046.
Period. Men. Women
Age and Service Groups (Class A releases). Estimated Number of Releases and Discharges. Age and Service Groups (Class A releases) Estimated Number of Releases and Discharges
NAVY.
1946. (Average.) (Average.)
January … … 32–39 87,000 27–36 14,400
February … …
March … … 40–47 113,000 37–45 and Part 46–50 14,200
April … …
May … … … 48–50 43,000 Part 46–50 6,800
June … … 51–52 42,000 51–55 6,600
Total—Jan.-June, 1946 … … 32–52 285,000 27–55 42,000
ARMY.
1946. (Actual.)Officers. Others. (Actual.)Officers Others
January … … Part 21–Part 23. Part 24–Part 25. 295,000 28 35–40 20,400
February … … Part 23–Part 24. Part 25–Part 26. 269,500 29–35 41–43 20,500
March … … Part 24–Part 25. Part 26–Part 27. 190,500 36–40 44–45 17,100 17,100
April … … Part 25–Part 26. Part 27–Part 28. 130,700 41–Part 42 46 8,800
May … … … Part 27 and 28. Part 28– Part 29. 139,300 Part 42–43 Part 44. 47 7,900
June … … 29–31 Part 32. Part 29 30–3I Part 32. 134,900 Part 44 45–49. 48–40 8,500
Total—Jan.-June. 1946 … … Part 21– Part 32. Part 24– Part 32. 1.159,900 28–49 35–49 83,200
R.A.F.
1946. (Average.) (Average.)
January … … 26 64,700 39 12,600
February … … 27 43.400 40–Part 41 6,200
March … … 28–Part 29 52,500 Part 41–Part 42 8,500
April … … Part 29, 30, Part 31 53.200 Part 42, 43. Part 44 8,700
May … … … 32–35 82,200 45–Part 46 13,000
June … …
Total—Jan.-June, 1946 … … 26–35 296,000 39–Part 46 49,000

deferment of release of a number of individuals will continue to be necessary.

NURSING SERVICES.
— NAVY. ARMY. R.A.F.
Nursing Sisters and V.A.D. Officers. V.A.Ds. Nursing Officers. V.A.Ds. Estimated Number of Releases and Discharges.
Age and Service Groups(Class A). Estimated Number of Releases and Discharges. Age and' Service Groups (Class A). Estimated Number of Releases and Discharges. Age and Service Groups(Class A). Estimated Number of Releases and Discharges. Age and Service Groups(Class A). Estimated Number of Releases and Discharges.
1946. (Average.) (Average.) (Actual.) (Actual.)
January … 4–15 75 11–15 275 23–Part 27 700 35–4O 340 21
February … 16–23 75 16–36 275 Part 27–Part 32 900 41–43 230 21
March … 24–30 75 37–40 275 Part 32–Part 35 600 44–45 170 21
April … 31–35 75 41–43 275 Part 35–Part 38 500 46 100 21
May. … … 36–40 75 44–47 275 Part 38–Part 40 600 47 100 42
June … 41–43 75 48–51 275 Part 40–42 500 48–49 110
Totals … 4–43 450 11–51 1.650 23–42 3,800 35–49 1,050 126
The releases and discharges represented by the provisional programme year to the end of June when added to the achievements up to the end of 1945, represent the following percentages of strength at 18th June, 1945:

Men Women. Total.
Navy … … … … 63 per cent 94 per cent. 66 per cent.
Army … … … … 68„ 81„ 69„
R.A.F … … … … 63„ 72„ 64„
Nursing Services … … … — 62„ 62„
To1tal … … … 65„ 79„ 67„