§ 66. Mr. Hammersleyasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the present situation and as a temporary measure, he will propose making the granting of holidays for Territorial training a statutory obligation?
§ Sir V. WarrenderNo, Sir. His Majesty's Government are hopeful that, in present circumstances, they may rely on employers voluntarily to do everything within their power to facilitate Territorial recruiting and training.
§ Mr. HammersleyDoes my hon. Friend take into full consideration the fact that a compulsory measure of this character could not possibly do any harm to patriotic employers, and, secondly, that if there were a measure of this character in large trades, any inequality might be corrected by means of trade union action?
§ Sir V. WarrenderYes, Sir. Very full consideration has been given to that point, but my hon. Friend appears to overlook the fact that if there were compulsion, it might very seriously affect the interests of the Territorials themselves.
§ Sir W. BrassIs my hon. Friend aware that this is taken a great deal into consideration by those men who wish to enlist in the Territorial Forces, and that it is preventing quite a number of them from enlisting at the present time?
§ Sir V. WarrenderTo do otherwise might very easily prevent some of them from getting employment.