Class E Reserve

HC Deb 01 August 1957 vol 574 c265W

Wing Commander Bullus

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the size of Class E Reserve of the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Ward

The size of the Class E Reserve has been reviewed in the light of the current defence plan and it has been decided to reduce the strength by approximately 45,000 reservists who are surplus to mobilisation requirements. The reservists concerned will be given at least three months' notice. Most of the reservists will remain subject to recall in emergency under the terms of the National Service Acts or the Navy, Army and Air Force Reserves Act, 1954, but it is not the intention that they should be called up for training.