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Class Z Reserve

Volume 486: debated on Tuesday 3 April 1951

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32.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the Class Z reservists who have been recalled originally entered into the Forces in each of the years from 1939 to 1946, respectively.

Information regarding the date of original entry into the Army of Z reservists selected for recall is not readily available. I have, however, arranged for the carrying out of a percentage check of the age and service groups of the reservists who are being recalled.The House will recollect that the recall programme involves bringing certain Regular and Territorial units up to strength by the addition of Z reservists. The general principle adopted in selecting reservists for recall was that of "last out, first back," but this principle is qualified by the differing requirements of various arms and trades and the requirements of senior non-commissioned officers. This has involved the recall of a number of men in the lower age and service groups, particularly for units in Anti-Aircraft Command, where the average age of reservists is generally high.Despite these considerations, the percentage check to which I have referred indicates that the "last out, first back" principle has operated in the case of the reservists to be recalled this year to a very marked degree. I will circulate the figures obtained in the OFFICIAL REPORT; these will show that of the reservists of age and service groups 1–28 who comprise half the Z Reserve, only some 1.6 per cent. are being recalled. On the other hand, of the reservists of age and service or release groups 29–150, 11.8 per cent. are being recalled.

Following is the table:

(a)(b)(c)*(d)
Age and Service GroupsTotal Number in Z ReserveNumber called up this yearPer cent. of (c) to (b)
1–20340,0004300·125
21–281,115,00023,0002
29–40470,00022,5005
41–60410,00057,00014
61–70370,00056,50015
Later groups200,00036,50018
All groups2,905,000195,9307

* Estimated from a 10 per cent. check of all those called up.