Home Defence and Active Army (Reorganisation)

Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 November 1955.

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Photo of Mr George Wigg Mr George Wigg , Dudley 12:00, 15 November 1955

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement about the future of the Territorial Army, the Reserve Forces and the Home Guard.

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

I can assure the House and the hon. Gentleman that I intend to make a statement on this subject at the earliest opportunity. I am certain that a premature or incomplete statement would do more harm than good. The whole matter is linked with the reorganisation both of our home defence and of the active Army, and our plans are not yet complete. In the meantime, I would refer the hon. Member to the Minister of Defence's statement on general policy contained in officers in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The number of applications for discharge before the end of their engagements by Regular other ranks is not available, and I am instead giving the number of such applications approved.

Following are the details:

his speech in the defence debate on 2nd November.

Photo of Mr George Wigg Mr George Wigg , Dudley

When the right hon. Gentleman shows his reluctance to make a statement on policy, is it because his Home Guard and reserves policy is in as great a state of collapse as his recruiting policy?

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

To the impure, all things are impure.

Photo of Mr Emanuel Shinwell Mr Emanuel Shinwell , Easington

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to continue with the Home Guard?

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

I should not like to anticipate my statement.

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

While one understands the necessity for some delay before the Government make a comprehensive statement, can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Territorial Army, which was the main Reserve of this country, has not been whittled away so that it is now of practically no use whatever?

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

I should like at once to make clear, as my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Defence stated and as I can repeat, that the Territorial Army's function in the future is of great and vital importance to our whole defence pattern and that the general structure of the divisional formation of the Territorial Army will be maintained, together with its fighting rôle.