§ 98. Mr. Hirstasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the progress made in releasing recalled reservists and retained Regular soldiers from the Army.
§ Mr. HareBecause of the Suez crisis, over 25,000 reservists were recalled and over 10,000 Regulars, who would otherwise have completed their Colour service, were retained in the Army. In accordance with my statement in the House on 20th November, the release of these reservists and retained Regulars began on 22nd November.
I am glad to say that my forecast that 6,000 men would be released within three weeks was easily exceeded, and by 25th January all but about 500 will have left the Army. Of these, 350 are retained Regulars who will arrive by sea from the Far East on about 10th February. The remainder are temporarily retained in the Army for disciplinary, medical or other reasons.
It is a tribute to the efficiency of those who planned and executed the scheme that over 12,000 men, that is practically all those serving in this country and Germany, were released in the first ten days. The remaining reservists from the Middle East and retained Regulars from the Far East and elsewhere have been brought home as quickly as the political situation in the Middle East and availability of transport have allowed. I am grateful to the shipping and aircraft companies and the railways who, apart from their normal commitments, have provided the means of carrying over 20,000 reservists and retained Regulars from overseas in little more than a month.