§ 22. Mr. WATTasked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that there are men in this country of forty-two to forty-five years of age who have served for twenty to twenty-three years in the Army, who are physically fit yet for service, who have been offering themselves month after month to the War Office for further service, and who have been persistently refused by many officials of that Department; and will he say whether such men will be utilised in the present great demand for men?
§ Mr. BECKI am not aware of any cases in which men referred to by my hon. Friend who are fit for service in the Army have been refused; and can assure him that no man within the ages stated who offers himself for re-enlistment will be refused by the Ministry of National Service, provided that he is physically fit for service and is not engaged in an occupation which makes his retention in civil life clearly desirable in the national interest.
§ Mr. WATTWith regard to that assurance, will the soldiers get the same rank that they last held, or will officers be asked to join the ranks?
§ Mr. BECKI think my hon. Friend had better ask the War Office about that matter, which I am sure they have under their consideration.