§ 69. Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for War whether the regulations for allowances provide for an allowance being given to the invalid brother of a militiaman, who, before being called up, was helping to support him, and who is prepared to make an allotment of 6d.a day to his brother?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe regulations will admit of an allowance being given in such a case, subject to the conditions indicated in the White Paper (Cmd. 6043), which was recently published.
§ 70. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of giving an assurance to militiamen called up under the Military Training Act that they will at no time during their four years of service be asked to undertake duties in connection with an industrial dispute?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe assurance in question covers the initial six months' period of training, subsequent to which militiamen will be in the same position as other Reservists or Territorials respectively.
§ Mr. ManderIs it the case, then, that after the first six months all these militia-men are liable to be used in industrial disputes? Does the right hon. Gentleman think that that was the impression conveyed to the House by his speech in the Debate?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaWhat I said was:
I am prepared to give to each one of these militiamen a written statement, to say 2061 that any liability he might be presumed to be under to be ordered by the military authorities to aid the civil authority in an industrial dispute during his period of continuous training would not be enforced in his case.That statement was made and approved by the House.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhy should there be a discrimination between a man who serves his six months as a militiaman and the same man when he has terminated his training and becomes a member of the Territorial Forces?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI think the hon. Member should be the last to put a question of that kind, because I made the concession in response to representations made to me by the trade unionists on that side of the House. Every citizen is under an obligation to aid the civil power.
§ Mr. StephenDoes the period of continuous training, as provided for in the Act, not include the period in the Reserve?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaNo, Sir.
§ 73. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for War whether facilities are available for militiamen to attend evening institutes for the study of commercial subjects, similar to opportunities now existing in civil life whereby young men are enabled to study after the termination of their daily avocations?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaAny civil facilities of this kind which exist in the neighbourhood of Militia training camps and depots will be brought to the notice of militiamen, in order that they may take advantage of them in their spare time if they wish.
§ Mr. Edmund HarveyWould the right hon. Gentleman consider issuing a leaflet, setting forth the educational opportunities which are to be provided?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI have said that we shall draw the attention of militiamen to this service. I do not want to inundate them with leaflets.