§ 19. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that soldiers in the Class A Reserve are forbidden to find employment on board fishing vessels sailing out of the port of Hull, although some of the deep-sea fishing vessels are only out for a week, and the average fishing trip is only about a fortnight or three weeks; whether, as these young men of the Reserve are suitable for such work, he is prepared to issue instructions to put no obstacles in the way of their obtaining employment, which in many cases is the only employment open to them; and whether he has consulted the First Lord of the Admiralty on this matter?
§ Commodore KINGSection A of the Army Reserve consists of a limited number of reservists who volunteer to return to the Colours in circumstances which do not render a general mobilisation necessary and who receive extra pay for undertaking this liability. It is an essential feature of their engagement that they should be available for immediate service, and it is therefore a necessary condition, which is clearly and explicitly laid down in their enrolment papers, that they should not leave the United Kingdom or lead a seafaring life. I regret that I am unable to agree to any modification of this condition.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the Financial Secretary aware that apparently the War Office lump all seafaring men together in all categories of ships, whereas on these deep sea fishing vessels they are on duty for a few days only and return to the same port. Can he not allow these young soldiers to engage in what is a healthy occupation?
§ Commodore KINGThey must carry out the conditions of their service; and that is that they must be available for immediate service.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre not the men who are moving about the country working on the land just as difficult to trace as these young men who would be serving on these fishing vessels?
§ Commodore KINGThat is not our experience with regard to the reservists called up for the Shanghai Defence Force.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the Financial Secretary see that any concession made at the port of Hull will be made at all other ports in the country?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOn a point of Order—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member is not asking for a favour for a particular port, but for a particular calling.
§ 20. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for War if he has any figures showing the number of reservists returned from China who have returned to their former work or obtained other employment; if he has figures showing the number who have not yet succeeded in obtaining work; and what steps he has taken, or is taking, to see that they all obtain work?
§ Commodore KINGAs regards the steps which have been taken to find employment for Section A reservists on their return home, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply on 24th November to the hon. Member for Bristol East (Mr. W. Baker).
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI heard that reply, and it dealt only with the question of Bristol. May I press the hon. and gallant Gentleman to deal with the whole country. Has he no figures?
§ Commodore KINGI have no figures. I have obtained full reports from the local associations, and my answer to the hon. Member for Bristol East said that we were having the assistance of local associations in all parts of the country.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHow can the hon. and gallant Gentleman pretend that he is trying to find work for these men when he has no figures as to the number who want employment?
§ Mr. THURTLECannot the hon. and gallant Gentleman suggest to the War Office that they should appeal to the wealthy merchants of Shanghai to open a fund—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is in the nature of a debating point.