§ 37. Mr. Kimballasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement as to the position of the various 1525 classes of the members of the Territorial Army Reserve, in view of the uncertainty as to whether they are free to volunteer for air-raid precautions work?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Hore-Belisha)There are two classes: (i) The Territorial Army Reserve of Officers; (ii) A limited reserve of other ranks who are employés of firms enlisted to undertake the defence of the works of these firms against aircraft attack. In peace, membership of the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers is entirely voluntary, and the obligation which each member assumes only becomes compulsory on the embodiment of the Territorial Army. If a member desires to volunteer for such air-raid precautions work as will make him unavailable in time of emergency, he should first resign from the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers, otherwise he is liable to be called up compulsorily for service. The limited reserve of other ranks of the Territorial Army have accepted a definite obligation for a fixed period, as long as they continue to be employed with the same firm, and they are not available to volunteer for air-raid precautions work.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWhat is the position of officers who volunteered for the Ex-officer Emergency Reserve and who have received no reply whatever to their offer, if they now desire to offer themselves for some other form of national service, such as air-raid precautions work?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThat is quite a different subject.
§ Mr. Garro JonesIt is referred to in the last part of my question.