Release Programme (Hansard, 18 March 1947)

§ Mr. Isaacs

The statement I made to the House on 6th November last gave a detailed release programme, by groups, for both men and women in the Services up to the end of the present month, together with a general indication of the probable releases during the months April to June, inclusive. As the House will be aware from recent announcements by the War Office and by the Air Ministry, the programme I then furnished for the Army and the R.A.F. will be somewhat improved upon by the release of additional numbers from those Services in the second quarter of this year.

The following statement gives the provisional programme in detail for the period April to September, 1947, inclusive, during which the estimated number of men and women to be released and discharged will be approximately 308,750. The cumulative total from 18th June, 1945, to 30th September, 1947, will be approximately 4,717,300. The statement also indicates the release groups which it is hoped to reach by the end of 1947. As the Prime Minister reminded the House, in his statement on releases from the Forces on 26th November last, the Government's aim is to release in the present year all men called up before 1st January, 1944. This aim will be achieved under the provisional programme.

I am asked by the Service Ministers to make it clear that compulsory deferment of release of individuals will continue to be necessary, and as in the past there will 37W be some inequality in the rate of release for certain branches, categories and trades of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

The target for releases by the end of this year which I am now giving is one which we consider we shall be able to implement. If developments later on

RELEASES AND DISCHARGES FROM THE FORCES.
Provisional Programme—April to December, 1947.
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.
			(Average).		(Average).
			Officers.	Men.
1947—
April	…	…	60	61	4,500	63	200
May	…	…	61	Part 62	4.500	64	200
June	…	…	62	Part 62	5,000	65	200
July	…	…	63	63	5,000	66	200
August	…	…	64	Part 64	4,500	67	200
September	…	…	Part 65	Part 64	4,500	68	200
Total: April-September, 1947	60–Pt. 65	61–64	28,000	63–68	1,200
October-December, 1947	It is expected that the equivalent of two further groups of officers and ratings will be released during the last quarter of 1947.
			ARMY.
			(Actual).		(Actual).
1947—
April	…	…	Part 48 and Part 49	34,900	Pt. 57-Pt. 59	2,500
May	…	…	Part 49-Part 51	46,700	Pt. 59-Pt. 61	2,590
June	…	…	Part 51–Part 53	44,600	Pt. 61 and Pt. 62	2,500
July	…	…	Part 53-Part 55	31,900	Pt. 62 and Pt. 63	2,590
August	…	…	Part 55-Part 57	28,400	Pt. 63 and Pt. 64	2.590
September	…	…	Part 57 and 58	27,500	Pt. 64 and Pt. 65	2,500
Total: April-September 1947	Part 48–58	214,000	Pt. 57-Pt. 65	15,270
October-December, 1947	59-Part 61		Pt. 65–67
			R.A.F.
			(General Level).	(General Level).
1947—
April	…	…	Part 54	7,800	Pt. 55-Pt. 57	1,080
May	…	…	Part 55	8,200	Pt. 57 and Pt. 58	1,080
June	…	…	Part 55 and Part 56	6,910	Pt. 58	1,120
July	…	…	Part 56 and Part 57	5,820	Pt. 58 and Pt. 59	1,850
August	…	…	Part 57	5,800	Pt. 59 and Pt. 60	1,850
September	…	…	Part 57 and Part 58	6,290	Pt. 60 and Pt. 61	1,840
Total: April-September, 1947	Part 54-Part 58	40,820	Pt. 55-Pt. 61	8,820
October-December, 1947	Part 58–61		Pt. 61–67

38W

admit of an improvement in the rate of release, the Government will gladly avail themselves of the opportunity for returning additional numbers of men or women to civil life, and in so doing to assist the rehabilitation of the civil economy of this country.

39W

NURSING SERVICES.
	Navy.	Army.	R.A.F.
	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.	Age and Service Groups (Class A releases).	Estimated Number of releases and discharges.
	Nursing Sisters V.A.D. Officers.	V.A.Ds.		Nursing Officers and V.A.Ds.	(General level).
1947.	(Average).		Estimate not yet completed. It will be issued by the War Office as soon as possible.
April	Part 56	Part 63	75			50	27
May	Part 56	Part 63	100			51	16
June	57	Part 63	100			52	22
July	Part 58	Part 64	75			53	20
August	Part 58	Part 64	75			54	15
September	Part 58	Part 64	100			55	16
Total: April-September, 1947.	56–58	63 and 64	525			50–55	116
October-December, 1947.	It is expected that the equivalent of two further groups in the above categories will be released during the last quarter of 1947.			56–58