HC Deb 29 September 1939 vol 351 cc1611-2
1. Mr. Storey

asked the Minister of Labour whether men in reserved occupations who have been discharged on account of lack of work are being refused for His Majesty's forces and National Service?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

Yes, Sir. The Schedule is based on the estimated requirements in industry when the national war effort is fully developed, andthe fact that a man covered by the Schedule is at present out-of-work is not a reason for his exclusion. The details of the Schedule are open to revision from time to time.

Sir Joseph Nall

Does my right hon. Friend realise that men who have been serving for some months in camp are now being discharged and have nothing to do except to draw unemployment pay?

Mr. Brown

That may be so for a week or two, but I can assure my hon. Friend that we have two things to do to maintain the balance of the fighting services on the one hand and industry on the other. That is not easy, and it cannot be done on a short-term view.

Sir J. Nall

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the discharge of men who have been in camp and in training for 18 months in some cases is greatly re- sented by them and considered a silly waste of time?

Mr. Brown

That is perhaps because they do not understand. I deprecate in the strongest way the use of the term "silly waste." There was silly waste in the last war, when hundreds of thousands of men were taken into the Services and we had great difficulty in getting them out again.

Sir Percy Harris

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that it is not silly waste that men should be idle, when they wish to do training or something useful at this time?

M. Brown

I deprecate the use of that phrase. A man may not be wanted this week, but he may be wanted next week or any day.

Sir Nairne Stewart Sandeman

Can my right hon. Friend say to how many people these discharges apply?

Mr. Brown

I cannot say that without inquiry.