21. Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Secretary of State for War why he recalled to the Colours a Reservist, an ex-member of the Palestine police, who had been blinded in one eye whilst on duty with that body and subsequently invalided out; and whether he is aware that this man when he was called up, was on a temporary visit to this country, although normally resident in Palestine where his wife still is.
§ Sir J. GriggThis man was a regular soldier who was relegated to the Royal Army Reserve in March, 1938. This rendered him liable to recall to the colours at the outbreak of war and by the operation of the Military and Air Forces (Prolongation of Service) Act, 1939, he would have been held to serve in the Army until the end of the emergency. This liability was not cancelled by the fact that he joined the Palestine Police Force in 1938 and was granted permission to live abroad so that he could serve with that force. He left the Palestine Police Force in September, 1943, and became liable for recall to the colours as soon as he returned to the United Kingdom. He was medically examined and in view of the disability from which he suffered he was graded in category A.4.
Mr. SmithIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Palestine police are not a part of the British Army but are an Allied military force? Is it customary to recall to the colours reservists who are serving in an Allied military force and who have been discharged through-wounds?
§ Sir J. GriggThe legal position is quite clear, that service in the Palestine military force does not cancel the reserve obligation.
Mr. SmithIn view of the extremely unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.