§ 7. Sir RICHARD COOPERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is proposed to cancel exemptions from liability to military service granted to civilian prisoners who have been released on parole by our enemies?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of NATIONAL SERVICE (Mr. Beck)I have been asked to reply to this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to Clause 1, Section 3 of the Military Service Bill now before Parliament, and to the Debate which took place on Tuesday, 16th April. My hon. Friend will then see that it is not proposed to call 543 up for military service civilian prisoners in cases where an undertaking which is recognised by His Majesty's Government has been given not to serve in His Majesty's Forces during the present War.
§ Mr. BILLINGAre we to understand that prisoners who are released on parole by the enemy will not be permitted to do work of national importance in this country?
§ Sir R. COOPERWhat is meant by recognition by His Majesty's Government, because there were cases in the Southern Atlantic where men were released on their word of honour that they would not take up arms against the enemy, and are they to be made to treat their word of honour as a scrap of paper?
§ Mr. BECKThere is no question of a scrap of paper at all. A man who happens to have been for a short time in the hands of the enemy, and has given an undertaking that he ought not to have given, cannot be exempted from service for the rest of the War. My hon. Friend may be sure that His Majesty's Government will have the most scrupulous regard for any undertaking which has been properly given in this matter.
§ Mr. BILLINGMay I ask the hon. Gentleman who represents National Service in this House whether it is proposed to call up men for National Service who are recognised by the Government as having given their parole?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise on this question.