§ MR. ASHLEYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Admiralty have declared that they have the first claim on the services of all men employed in the Royal dockyards, and that they would not permit any man belonging to the Territorial Army to leave his work on Army mobilisation unless he could be spared, he can assure the House that all dockyard men in the Territorial Force will, on an emergency, be able to perform the duties for which they are enlisted.
§ MR. HALDANEI must refer the hon. Member to the Amendment to Section 1 of Clause 17 of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, moved by the Leader of the Opposition and accepted by the Government, with regard to the special arrangements to be made for individuals whose services may be required in other than a military capacity, and to the discussion on this Amendment and one moved by himself. To this I have nothing to add.
§ MR. ASHLEYBut may I ask what special arrangements have been made?
§ MR. HALDANEWill be made?
§ MR. ASHLEYNo, what special arrangements have been made to deal with men employed by the Admiralty who have been allowed to join the Territorial Reserve.
§ MR. HALDANEThe clause says that arrangements will be made, and they will be made accordingly when the necessity arises.
§ MR. ASHLEYWill the arrangement be such as to enable them to defend their country in time of danger?
§ MR. HALDANEThat entirely depends on the necessity of the situation.