HC Deb 15 June 1939 vol 348 cc1487-8
3. Mr. George Hall

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that young men when registering under the Military Training Act and expressing a preference for service in the Royal Air Force were asked to sign forms which deemed them to have enlisted for five years and not four as was specified?

Mr. E. Brown

Enlistment in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve is for five years, including a period of six months' continuous training. When registering under the Military Training Act men who expressed a preference for Royal Air Force service were handed notices and forms of application for enlistment, copies of which I am sending the hon. Member. Both documents state clearly that the period of enlistment in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve is for five years.

Mr. Hall

Is not that a violation of the Military Training Act and of specific declarations made by the right hon. Gentleman?

Mr. Brown

Not at all. This is a matter of option and of choice on the part of the men themselves.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the right hon. Gentleman now state that the power to ask men to serve five years in the Royal Air Force, which is one of the branches of His Majesty's service, is included in the Military Training Act and is derived from that Act?

Mr. Brown

I have not said so. I have said that this is an option which the men exercise.

Mr. Shinwell

If power is not derived from the Act, by what right do the Government exercise the power to ask men to serve five years?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Member wants a precise statement and if he puts down a question, I will gladly give him an answer.

Mr. Hall

Is it not the case that Section 6 (2) of the Military Training Act, states specifically that the period for which militiamen join is 3½ years and six months of training?

Mr. Brown

That is so. The whole question turns on the difference between ordinary compulsory service and the voluntary option exercised by the men themselves.

Mr. Hall

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.