HC Deb 06 June 1939 vol 348 c200
31. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the arrangements for the calling up of men under the military training scheme?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I have given to the hon. Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams) on 16th May and to the hon. Members for Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie) and Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 25th May, copies of which I am sending him. Some modification may be necessary in the calling up arrangements as announced on 16th May, as the men for the air defence of Great Britain are required in three-monthly groups, while men for the Field Army are required in two-monthly groups. The effect of this on the calling up arrangements will be that while in general men will be called up for training at intervals of two months, approximately half the September group will have their calling-up notices postponed to October, and half the March group to April. The first group of men to be called up will consist of about 34,000, and they will receive their calling-up notices on or about Saturday, 1st July, requiring them to report to their units a fortnight later.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to make a statement on the contractual obligations of the men who will be called up?

Mr. Brown

That is a matter of business, but surely the answer is "Yes."

Mr. Shinwell

Could the right hon. Gentleman be more specific on that point, because the matter is of great concern to many people?

Mr. Brown

Yes, Sir, and that is quite understood by His Majesty's Government. The House can be assured that there will be no delay.

Mr. Thorne

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement later on as to the number rejected on physical grounds?

Mr. Brown

The medical arrangements do not begin until Thursday.