§ 51. Mr. ROWLANDSasked the Prime Minister what committees have been appointed in connection with the combing out of the Government Departments; and whether he is aware that some of the members of the committees are of military age?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of NATIONAL SERVICE (Mr. Beck)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. As already announced in the Press, a panel has been appointed from which military service committees will be selected to review exemptions held by men of military age employed in all Government Departments. A preliminary meeting of the panel will be held in the course of the next few days, at which the selection of the committees will be finally arranged. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSIs my hon. Friend aware of the great amount of annoyance caused to men who are called up by men who themselves ought to be serving?
§ Mr. BECKThat is not the question. The military age has been extended to fifty-one. This is a policy for which the House has pressed, and the Ministry with which I have the honour to be connected has established a panel of persons who will go through the Government Departments with a view of discovering what men, I think under the age of forty-three, can be spared for the fighting force.
§ Mr. HOGGEWhat moral force can the recommendations of this Department have when it puts men below the military age on a panel to put other men under their age into the Army?
§ Mr. BECKIf that standard is applied a great many Members of this House would have to resign their seats.
Captain SMITHIs the panel composed of men who are now serving in the Army or Navy, or of civilians, or of both?
§ Mr. BECKNo; it comprises a great number of persons, Members of this House and of the other place, business men, and so on. It is really a representative panel, which will, I think, satisfy the House when it is published.
Mr. FABERWhy need men of military age be put on the panel? Is it beyond the competence of this House to discover men above military age who are fitted to be on this committee?
§ Mr. BECKI do not think that my hon. Friend quite understands the question. It is suggested that no men under fifty-one should be on this panel. That is not a practical proposal.
§ Major HUNTWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether all the members of these committees will be altogether disinterested in the sense that they will not have anything to do with the Departments?