HC Deb 13 March 1946 vol 420 cc222-4W
109. Captain Crowder

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what demobilisation group has been reached in the cooks' branch of the R.N.; how many groups this branch is behind the average; what steps are being taken to speed up demobilisation in this branch so as to bring it more into line with other trades; and when he anticipates that cooks in release groups up to 50 will be demobilised.

Mr. Alexander

In the period expiring 29th April, chief petty officer, petty officer, and leading cooks will be released up to Group 38, cooks and assistant cooks up to Group 42, the average for the whole Navy being Group 47. It is not yet possible to give a reliable estimate of the date by which cook ratings in Age and Service Group 50 will be released. Large numbers have been and are still being-entered and trained for this branch. In addition, ratings of other categories are being employed on cook duties wherever possible, and, in consequence, the position of junior cooks is improving. The real difficulty lies in replacing the senior ratings of experience from the relatively inexperienced men remaining in the Service.

110. Mr. Lipson

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if all former members of the police force in the R.N., who desire it, can be granted release under Class B, in view of the fact that this privilege is being promised to all new recruits from the Far East in the recruiting campaign now being carried out there by five chief constables.

Mr. Alexander

All former members of the Police Force now serving in the Royal Navy who desire it and who can be spared, are being granted release in Class B. As regards the latter part of the Question, the instructions which have been issued by the Admiralty make it quite clear that the number of new recruits for the Civil Police who can be released in Class B is limited and that it should be clearly understood that even within this limit release may have to be refused on grounds of military necessity.

Mr. Paget

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps have been taken to notify ratings that agricultural workers with a year or more service are entitled to Class B release; and whether commanding officers have been notified that disciplinary action will be taken if this release is delayed.

Mr. Alexander

There is no question of "entitlement" to release in Class B. Agricultural workers, like men in other industries, are selected according to their pre-entry occupations in order of age and service Groups. The names of those selected are promulgated in Fleet Orders, copies of which are displayed on the notice boards. Officers and men concerned are also informed personally of their eligibility for Class B release. With a view to achieving the release of the numbers required by the Ministry of Labour, release has been offered to all agricultural workers with more than one year's service, with the exception of a small number who cannot be spared. So far, release has been offered to 1,363 men, and a further 200 offers will be made shortly. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No, Sir." Commanding Officers have been instructed to give special attention to the immediate dispersal of men accepting release in Class B, without relief wherever possible, and even at the expense of some loss of efficiency, and I am satisfied that these instructions are being carried out.

Mr. Callaghan

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what plans he has for speeding up the demobilisation of sea transport officers so that they may overtake the executive and other officers who by June will be 12 groups ahead of sea transport officers.

Mr. Alexander

This difficulty had already been foreseen. During the period 1st March, 1945, to 1st March, 1946, 82 young officers had been entered into the corps either by transfer from general service or by promotion from the lower deck in order to accelerate the release of officers already serving. The work performed by sea transport officers during the war is being handed over to the peace-time Merchant Shipping Organisation as rapidly as circumstances will permit. At the beginning of the present month, it was possible to announce a further acceleration in releases so that by the end of June they will be only eight groups behind the average of officers, instead of 12. I must explain that this is entirely an age difficulty. On 1st March, 52 per cent. of sea transport officers had been released as compared with 39 per cent, of officers as a whole