§ 7. Mr. Pilkingtonasked the Minister of Labour whether any persons included in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations are being or will be accepted as volunteers for National Service?
§ Mr. E. BrownPersons who by virtue of their occupation and age are covered by the Schedule of Reserved Occupations may volunteer for whole-time service in war in any branch of National Service which will enrol them for service in their 1433 skilled trade or professional capacity. Alternatively, they may volunteer for part-time service in war in any branch of National Service, on the understanding that in war their normal occupation will have first claim on their services. Many persons covered by the Schedule are, in fact, offering their services in these ways, and it is hoped that many more will do so.
§ Mr. PilkingtonCan my right hon. Friend take steps to make that answer more widely known than it is at the present moment, especially in banks and industry generally?
§ 20. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has made any official or unofficial request to the two associations of newspaper proprietors that they should publish the advertisements calling for voluntary National Service without charge to the Treasury; and, if not, will he make such a request?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Sir John Anderson)No, Sir. The Press have given immense assistance by the editorial space they have devoted to National Service, and I think that it is reasonable to hold that, to secure the necessary emphasis and repetition, part of our publicity campaign should consist of display advertisements paid for in the usual way.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not he has asked the Press to give free the space which is utilised in appealing for voluntary services?
§ Sir J. AndersonI have had conferences on the subject with representatives of the Press, and I understand their attitude.
§ Mr. Garro JonesMay I ask whether or not the right hon. Gentleman has submitted such a request to these Associations?
§ Sir J. AndersonHaving heard the point of view of the Press, I did not think it reasonable to submit such a proposal.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWhy does the right hon. Gentleman show such tenderness for the profits of the Press, while he is prepared to receive any amount of voluntary service from poorer people?
§ 29. Mr. Liddallasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, following the precedent of the Great War, he would consider inviting the central offices of the various political parties to appoint a joint committee for the purpose of co-operation in the National Service campaign?
§ Sir J. AndersonUnder the present National Service campaign actual recruitment and specific recruiting publicity remain a matter for the services for which volunteers are required, while the general co-ordination and stimulation of the campaign have been entrusted to the local National Service committees which have been established throughout the country, and the Central National Service Committee which has recently begun its work. Hon. Members of all parties are readily giving their assistance, and while I appreciate the intention of my hon. Friend's suggestion, I should hesitate to add to the machinery already in existence.
§ 30. Mr. Manderasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of recent events, he has any further announcement to make as to the measures proposed to be taken to further recruitment for National Service?
§ Sir J. AndersonRecent events are of themselves helping to reinforce the measures already taken by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to assist local National Service Committees in the stimulation and intensification of the National Service campaign wherever necessary throughout the country.
§ Mr. ManderWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to say whether the pledge given by the Prime Minister, that conscription would not be introduced by this Government in peace time, holds good?
§ Sir J. AndersonThat is not a matter for me.