§ 7. Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that trained men in the Auxiliary Fire Services in Manchester and elsewhere are now being called up for military service; and whether he will state the position, in view of the fact that firemen in the regular fire brigades are reserved at all ages, and that the fire brigades of the country are now being organised into a national regular service?
§ Mr. BevinMen who joined the Auxiliary Fire Service before 1st April, 1941, and who were over the age of 25 when they registered under the National Service (Armed Forces) Acts, are not in general being called up for service in the Armed Forces. Exceptions to this rule may be made in the case of part-time members of the Auxiliary Fire Service who also fall within the classes of skilled tradesmen of which the Armed Forces are in urgent need.
§ Sir John MellorSo far as possible, will the right hon. Gentleman allow these men
§ which these figures are available, and the numbers of such persons recorded as unemployed in December, 1938, and December, 1939. The numbers recorded as unemployed in August, 1940, the latest date for which such figures have been published, are also shown. The estimated numbers insured in July, 1940, and the numbers recorded as unemployed in September, 1940, and subsequent months are not available for publication.
§ the option which many of them desire, of enlisting in His Majesty's Armed Forces?