HC Deb 25 February 1952 vol 496 cc107-8W
Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Z reservists were warned for service in 1951; how many applications for deferment were made; how many were granted; how many reservists completed their training; and how many were aged 45 or over.

Mr. Head

190,092 Z reservists were warned that they would be recalled for training during 1951. Of these 140,085 completed their training, 49,910 were exempted for various reasons and 97 failed to report. Details of the numbers who applied for deferment and of those granted deferment are not readily available. It is not known whether any man over the age of 45 reported for training: in all cases, however, that came to the notice of the War Office where a reservist had been warned but would be 45 before his training date the call up was cancelled.

Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the numbers of Z reservists; the percentage of the total Z Reserve called up in 1951 in age and service groups; and the percentage of the Z Reserve who will have been called up by the end of 1952.

Mr. Head

The present strength of the Z Reserve is 2,829,278 other ranks. Some 6.7 per cent. of the available Z reservists were selected for training in 1951. The distribution by age and service groups was as follows:—

per cent.
1–10 Nil
11–20 .09
21–30 2.21
31–40 5.16
41–50 13.52
51–60 15.51
61–70 15.74
71–80 14.21
81–100 Nil*
101–110 14.15
111–120 17.24
121–130 19.77
131–140 22.00
141–148 18.99
* The number of reservists in these groups is negligible.

By the end of this year some 14.9 per cent. of the present strength will have been selected for training. Allowing for wastage on medical and other grounds, it is thought that about 11 per cent. Will, in the event, have received training.