HC Deb 10 July 1941 vol 373 cc295-6
21. Sir John Mellor

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the disappointment expressed by some members of the Auxiliary Fire Service, who, owing to the provisions of the National Service Act, 1941, have lost the option of enlisting in the Armed Forces; and whether he will consider, in consultation with the departments concerned, applications from such members for discharge from the Auxiliary Fire Service to enable their enlistment?

Mr. H. Morrison

The only persons who have so far been compulsorily enrolled in the Auxiliary Fire Service, irrespective of any preference they may have expressed for any other form of national service, are part-time auxiliary firemen whose calling up for military service had been deferred because of their part-time service. These compulsory enrolments have been made in accordance with established national service arrangements which provide that men with special experience or aptitude are earmarked for particular duties, and I regret that the needs of the fire-fighting services at the present time make it impossible to release them.

Sir J. Mellor

While I recognise that everyone must give the services required, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that these people are in this position because they originally volunteered, and, that being so, will he take that fact into account should any further opportunity of discharge arise?

Mr. Morrison

If the supply of auxiliary firemen should improve, or if circumstances should happily make it possible gradually to reduce the fire brigades, which I very much doubt, I will take that fact into account, but as things are the balance is rather the other way.

Mr. Burke

Will the Home Secretary see that, if these people have to go into the Services, their conditions are made at least equal to the conditions they have previously enjoyed?

Mr. Morrison

Approximately speaking — and it can only be approximately— the material worth of service in the Army and that in Civil Defence are the same.

Mr. Burke

Is it not the fact that they are not the same?

Mr. Morrison

They cannot be the same, and I did not say they were the same. I said "approximately," but, taking it by and large, they are estimated to be about the same in material worth.