ENG-1949 — Page 16

originally comprised five main components, namely, the naval, army and air force elements, the Women's Volunteer Force, and an Essential Services Wing. This last was detached from the Force at the end of the year with the formation of the Essential Services Corps.

Volunteers are attested into the unit of their choice, the Regiment, the Naval Force or the Auxiliary Air Force, and undergo basic training in the Depot before being posted to their units. The duration of depot training, which consists mainly of elementary drill and rifle instruction, varies accord- ing to the previous experience of the volunteer, the maximum period being 13 weeks for those with no previous experience.

Recruitment proceeded steadily throughout the year. Attendance at training parades and at the Regiment's first annual camp was excellent, and considerable keenness and enthusiasm were shown by all volunteers. The progress made would have been impossible without the assistance and support of the regular services. The Admiralty made available on loan an Algerine class

class minesweeper, formerly H.M.S. "Lysander", for use as a depot ship by the Naval Force; this ship, renamed H.M.S. "Cornflower" was formally taken over by the Naval Force on 29th December, 1949; the Auxiliary Air Force was equipped with five Auster aircraft at the expense of the Air Ministry; and all three Services gave all possible assistance in supervising training, providing instructors and assisting with the arrangements for camps, cruises, etc. During the year the units of the Force were able to take part with the regular Services in various exercises and acquitted themselves well.

At the end of the year the strength of the Force was just under 900 all ranks and recruits were coming forward steadily. Training was progressing well and all units were already in a position to give valuable support to the regular forces in an emergency.

Registration of the Population

Part of the machinery for control and security in conditions of emergency is the registration of persons and the issue of identity cards. Plans had been made for a census to be taken in 1948, but developments outside the Colony led to a decision to defer the census and instead to enact the Registration of Persons Ordinance 1949 which provides for the registration of persons in the Colony and for the issue of identity cards free of charge containing the particulars of the holder, his photograph and his thumb print. The primary object of the legislation is to aid any measures which may from time to time be found necessary for the maintenance of law and order and the distribution of supplies of food and other commodities.

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