§ 34. Mr. J. H. Hallasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he proposes to deprive of their pensions naval pensioners who ignore the recent calling-up notice on the grounds that a state of emergency does not exist?
§ Mr. ShakespeareAny pensioner failing to report when called up under the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Act would be liable to forfeit his pension, but I can confidently assure the hon. Member that such an instance is not in the least likely to occur.
§ Mr. HallIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many of these pensioners fear that, if they are called up at the present juncture, there is a likelihood that they may lose the employment they are now following? They are quite willing, of course, to observe all their obligations should a state of emergency arise, but there is a widespread opinion that a state of emergency does not exist at the moment.
§ Mr. ShakespeareI appreciate that fear, but I think the House will agree that the Government have gone a long way, in the recent legislation, to remove that fear from the man's mind.