HC Deb 01 July 1943 vol 390 c1754
4. Sir John Mellor

asked the Minister of Labour whether his denial to members of the Auxiliary Air Force, whose discharge and simultaneous call up for service in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve is pending, of the right to apply for postponement certificates is based upon his interpretation of the references to medical examination in Section 6 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, and in Section 4 of the National Service (No. 2) Act, 1941?

Mr. McCorquodale

I am advised that members of the Auxiliary Air Force who are discharged and called up for service in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the National Service (No. 2) Act, 1941, do not cease to be members of the Armed Forces of the Crown and that the postponement provisions in Section 6 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, do not apply to members of the Armed Forces of the Crown.

Sir J. Mellor

In those circumstances will my hon. Friend explain how it is that the calling-up notices were served upon these men by the Minister of Labour as though they were civilians?

Mr. McCorquodale

As this is a matter of some legal complexity, perhaps my hon. Friend would see me and the legal representatives of my Department afterwards. It is a difficult matter to discuss across the Floor of the House.