§ 43. Mr. MAXWELLasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is in a position to make a general statement on the subject of civil servants in relation to membership of the Territorial Army and the National Defence Corps?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Lieut.-Colonel Colville)I am glad to be able to assure my hon. Friend that, subject only to the vital requirements of the public service, Government Departments give every encouragement to members of their staff 1989 to join the Territorial Army. All civil servants who undertake the full period of camp training have hitherto been allowed one week's special leave with pay. As already announced it has been decided to increase this provision in the case of civil servants whose normal leave allowance does not exceed 18 days and to give special paid leave for the whole fortnight in camp. As regards the National Defence Companies, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him on 3rd December. The paramount consideration is the vital need for making the best possible use of the available manpower. In an emergency a very severe strain would be placed upon the machinery of Government. Existing Departments would, in many cases, have to face vastly increased duties and new war time Ministries and Departments would become inevitable. The view is taken that civil servants eligible for membership of the companies, namely those over 45 years of age or unfit for active service, who in an emergency could be spared from their existing duties, ought in the national interest to be regarded as available for other Governmental activities for which their experience and qualifications would make them specially fitted. In these circumstances it has been decided that, viewing the requirements of the State as a whole, it would not be prudent to allow civil servants to enrol in the National Defence companies. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War is in full agreement with this decision.
§ Mr. MAXWELLMay I ask my hon. and gallant Friend, in regard to the National Defence companies, whether he does not consider that as they are only used in a state of emergency, probably the defence of the country will be at least equally as important as the normal duties of many civil servants; and also, with regard to recruiting, will he bear in mind that private employers very often suffer the same disabilities in planning their businesses as the Government?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe reply I gave was a very full one. This decision has not been arrived at without careful thought.
§ Mr. CASSELLSDoes the Minister seriously suggest that civil servants should be placed in a special category by themselves?