HC Deb 03 July 1918 vol 107 cc1719-20
69. Mr. JOWETT

asked the Minister of National Service whether, in the event of failure to obtain a sufficient number of offers for two or three months' special service from the Volunteer Corps, it is his intention to proceed by Order in Council to call up Volunteers over thirty-five years of age who are in Grade 2; and, if so, whether he will accept Volunteers of this age and grade who hold scheduled occupation certificates with the red card M.M. 130 from the provisions of such Order in Council?

Mr. MACPHERSON

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Special Service Volunteer Companies have been formed on a voluntary basis, and there is at present no intention of departing from this principle. Men in certain occupations have been excluded from the scheme, even though they might be willing to offer for special whole-time Volunteer service.