§ 1 Sir HAROLD ELVERSTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether men who are enrolled in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Anti-Aircraft Corps, and have been trained in the use of anti-aircraft guns and searchlights for a considerable period, are now receiving conscript forms calling them up for military service; (2) whether, assuming the military authorities have the right to call them up, an opportunity will be given to the so-called half-time married men of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Anti-Aircraft Corps to volunteer for full-time duty and so place themselves on an equal footing with other members of the corps; and (3) in view of the fact that numbers of men from the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Anti-Aircraft Corps who went to attest were refused permission to do so at different recruiting offices, being told that they were already in His Majesty's Services and that it was unnecessary to attest, and in view of the fact that all the men of this corps voluntarily signed on for the duration of the War and are subject to the 1022 Naval Discipline Act, whether instructions will be issued that these men are not to be discharged from His Majesty's Navy for the purpose of making them conscripts?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (.Dr. Macnamara)So far as I am aware, no members of the Anti-Aircraft Corps who desired to attest were refused permission to do so. If they were, the refusal was not in accordance with our desire or advice. If vacancies occur, half-timers in the corps, if recommended, will be given an opportunity to volunteer for full-time duty in the corps. I should add to that statement that there are no vacancies at present. As regards half-timers, as I have already indicated, so far as we are concerned every opportunity has been given to them to attest; if they have not done so they are now liable to be called up under the Military Service Act. When so called up they have the right to express preference for service in the Navy, and if the Admiralty desires to avail itself of their services they will be transferred to naval service.