§ 67. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Minister of National Service whether he can state the position of discharged men under the National Registration Act who have found work which they do not wish to give up, even though such work is not of national importance; whether any action is proposed where a man does not find work of national importance within a specified time; and whether he can state the position of men who are being or who have been trained under the Ministry of Pensions scheme for ordinary civil trades; and whether the functions of the National Registration Act are intended to embrace discharged men who are not now subject to re-examination, and recalled for service under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act?
§ Mr. BECKThe question of the work of national importance to be undertaken by discharged men, liable under the Review of Exceptions Act, to bring them within the concession recently made by the Government does not arise under the National Registration Act. A detailed Instruction as to the nature of work which will bring a man within the concession was issued on the 25th instant to officials of the National Service Department throughout the country, and measures are being taken to give wide publicity to it. The period of one month before the end of which the man must be engaged in work of national importance runs (in the case of men already discharged) from the 16th March, and may be extended where circumstances justify extension. Action under the powers conferred by the Review of Exceptions Act will not be taken in the case of any man who takes reasonable steps within the period to avail himself of the opportunities given. It is intended that the administration of the policy I have outlined shall be such as to assist to the utmost the men concerned.
§ Mr. BECKThe actual Instruction itself is being widely circulated, but we shall be very glad to consider any additional means which are at all practicable or necessary.
§ Mr. BILLINGWhy not consult the Minister of Propaganda?
§ Mr. PRINGLEHow is my hon. Friend going to put this within the reach of the discharged men affected?
§ Mr. BECKThe discharged men affected are very largely in various organisations which are very fully aware of the steps which are being taken. We find from our correspondence that the men are Well aware of the various steps which are being taken in the matter.