HC Deb 22 July 1942 vol 382 cc42-3
The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I desire to inform the House that I propose to ask Parliament for powers to enable British subjects residing in foreign countries, who would be liable for military service if they were in this country, to be called up for military service as the development of the war may require, and a short Bill for this purpose will be introduced immediately. It is proposed that the Bill shall be applied to British subjects in specified foreign countries by Order in Council and that this shall be done in the first instance in respect of Egypt, where the present emergency renders it essential to make full use of British man-power.

Mr. Graham White

Will the Schedule of Reserved Occupations be dealt with in the Bill?

Mr. Bevin

The Bill will largely repeat, so far as is practicable, the National Service Acts.

Mr. Maxton

Will all the countries concerned be mentioned in the Bill?

Mr. Bevin

No, Sir, they will be applied by Order in Council as circumstances require.

Mr. Hannah

Will it affect British subjects from the Dominions and Colonies who happen for the time being to be in this country?

Mr. Bevin

No, Sir, it will not touch the the Dominions, Colonies, or mandated territories which have their own legislative assemblies.

Mr. Maxton

Do I understand my right hon. Friend to say that this may be done in any country in the world under the -provisions of the Bill he is proposing to introduce?

Mr. Bevin

Yes, Sir, any foreign country.

Mr. Maxton

Is my right hon. Friend proposing to control machinery in these foreign countries for calling up? What about Vichy France?

Mr. Bevin

I doubt whether I shall be able to establish machinery there at the moment. Arrangements will have to be made with the authorities in the foreign countries to deal with the matter quite fairly.

Sir H. Williams

Could the Minister say whether hardship tribunals will be set up in these foreign countries?

Mr. Bevin

I shall have to provide for certain appropriate machinery of a general character, but the numbers are not large. I think the House will agree that when we are imposing conscription on citizens here British citizens in countries abroad should serve.

Sir P. Harris

Is it not a fact that it can only be done by arrangement with the foreign countries concerned, and is it not reasonable to assume that in the case of Egypt every facility will be granted?