§ Mr. G. R. Howardasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a statement on the size of the Royal Fleet Reserve.
§ Mr. SoamesA review of the Royal Fleet Reserve has been carried out and it has been decided to reduce the strength of the Reserve, which at present contains over 30,000 men, to about 5,000. The men concerned are being notified that they will be discharged from the Royal Fleet Reserve at the end of this month. Those discharged will still be subject to recall in emergency up to the age of 45 under the terms of the Navy, Army and Air Force Reserves Act 1954.