HC Deb 23 January 1945 vol 407 cc630-2
43. Sir Henry Morris-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of A.T.S. personnel, to whom facilities have been offered to serve abroad, have volunteered to do so.

Sir J. Grigg

I cannot give an answer to my hon. Friend's Question in precisely the form in which it is asked because information as to the number of auxiliaries who have volunteered but who for various reasons are ineligible for service overseas could only be obtained by calling for special returns. But it may perhaps answer the purpose of my hon. Friend's Question if I say that volunteers now available for posting overseas are sufficient to cover about a quarter of the present requirements. Moreover, as a result of the comb-out of Army establishments to which I referred in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Cardiff on 16th January, the number of A.T.S. needed for service abroad is bound to increase substantially

Sir H. Morris-Jones

In view of the satisfactory response already made will my right hon. Friend and the Government reconsider the whole question of the conscription of the A.T.S., especially in view of the fact that no other country has conscripted women to the extent that we have?

Sir J. Grigg

I am afraid that I do not regard a response of one-quarter of the requirements as entirely satisfactory.

Mr. De la Bère

Is not the conscription of women most objectionable?

64. Miss Rathbone

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can throw any light on the attitude of the A.T.S. itself on the question of compulsory drafting overseas and are there grounds for stating that this proposal is assented to or resented by the majority of those likely to be themselves concerned.

Sir J. Grigg

As I said in the reply I gave my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Tonbridge (Sir A. Baillie) on 16th January, my information suggests that the reaction of most members of the A.T.S. has been favourable to the policy of compulsory posting overseas.

Miss Rathbone

Is not the objection to this proposal really mostly from parents who have disagreed with their daughters, and that the daughters are willing to serve but the parents are not willing for them to do so?

Sir J. Grigg

I think there is a good deal in what the hon. Lady says.

Mr. De la Bère

Is it not a fact that the men in the Services do not want it? That is the real point.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

Will the right hon. Gentleman do something about the discontent among certain members of the A.T.S. who are anxious to go abroad, but who have been prevented on the ground that their services in this country are indispensable?

Sir J. Grigg

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me specified cases. There are a certain number of people who are not allowed to go abroad because they are either too young or are married with young children. I am doubtful if there are any appreciable number who are not allowed to go abroad on the ground that their services in this country are regarded as indispensable.

Mrs. Cazalet Keir

Is not the point not who is or is not favourable, but what is in the national interest?

Sir J. Grigg

I quite agree with my hon. Friend.

68. Mr. Turton

asked the Secretary of State for War what will be the maximum period of overseas service of A.T.S. compulsorily posted to overseas establishments.

Sir J. Grigg

The present tour of overseas service for members of the A.T.S. who volunteer is in general three years. I propose to review the period of service in consequence of the decision to send A.T.S. abroad compulsorily.

Mr. De la Bère

Is the right hon. Gentleman quite sure he is going to send them compulsorily? Is it not better to bow to wisdom and understanding and the wishes of the people in these matters?