HC Deb 10 November 1947 vol 444 c26W
Mr. Wilkes

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by men serving in the Royal Signals, R.E.M.E., and R.A.S.C, at their slow rate of release when compared with infantry and non-technical corps troops; and why clerks, M.T. personnel, drivers and infantry signalmen, etc., cannot be transferred to the technical, units in order to help increase the release rate' in Royal Signals, R.E.M.E. and R.A.S.C.

Mr. Shinwell

The rate of release to 1st April, 1948, will be much faster than the t troops had reason to expect, before the programme was announced, and so far as I am aware there is no general dissatisfaction with it. The greatest possible adjustments between Corps have been carried out, but the reduction of commitments makes it possible to spare an increased number of men in certain Arms, notably infantry, and for this reason they will be released slightly in advance of the rest of the Army. Any general transfers from infantry to other Arms would necessitate a retraining programme which would be most uneconomic in view of the relatively short remaining term for which the men concerned will now serve.