§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKE(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any, and, if so, what, instructions have been issued to men employed in His Majesty's Dockyards with regard to their enrolment under the scheme for National Service?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)We certainly desire to support the appeal of the Director-General of National Service that all male persons between the ages of eighteen and sixty-one should enrol under his scheme. We have therefore invited the attention of the male members of our staff at the central office to this appeal; and we are communicating similarly with the Royal Dockyards and naval establishments. Of course, it must be clearly understood that no person in Admiralty employment, so volunteering, would be allowed to leave for other National Service without our approval.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the right hon. Gentleman himself volunteer?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, certainly.
§ Mr. LEIF JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what is the use of allowing large numbers of men in this service to put their names down on the list of the Director-General of National Service if the Admiralty is not going to release these men? Would it not be better for the Admiralty first to say which men they can release before they allow them to volunteer?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt was thought that to know these men had volunteered would be an encouragement and incentive to others: but, as I said before, and quite 1282 frankly, those who do volunteer will not be allowed to leave our service without approval.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman give a definite answer to my question? What instructions, if any, have been given to these men to volunteer?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI thought I had made it quite clear—
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKENo, you did not.
§ Dr. MACNAMARALet me repeat my answer: "We have therefore invited the attention of the male members of our staff at the Central Office to this appeal, that all male persons between the ages of eighteen and sixty-one should enrol under the scheme. We are communicating similarly with the Royal dockyards and naval establishments."
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it not the rule that the Admiralty issue orders to dockyards? Have any orders to the dockyards been issued in regard to the enrolment of members?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo, there has been no communication. We are communicating; we shall consider what form it should take.