§ 38. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for War what steps were taken to give publicity to the cancellation of the War Office instruction broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation on 26th April that men between the ages of 20 and 21 years would come within the scope of the Military Training Bill after midnight on that date and be refused enlistment in the Territorial Army; and when and by what means it was made clear to the public that these men would still be accepted for the Territorial Army?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe War Office announcement broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation on 26th April was to the effect that men who joined the Territorial Army before midnight on 26th April would be exempt from the provisions of the Military Training Bill, and was not as suggested in the question. The decision referred to in the second part of the question was communicated to the Press and appeared in many newspapers at the end of April and the beginning of May.
§ Mr. MathersDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the use of the British Broadcasting Corporation to give publicity to a statement of the Prime Minister before it had been passed into law was to make the right hon. Gentleman a dictator; and will not steps be taken to get equal publicity for the amendment which was made last week to that announcement?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIt is perfectly clear that the position was unaffected by that. The question was discussed in the House. My right hon. Friend is not a dictator. It is for Parliament to pass the Bill or not as it desires.
§ Mr. MathersThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the point about equal publicity for the amended position.