HC Deb 18 November 1947 vol 444 cc962-3
12. Mr. Baker White

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Colin Willett, aged 18 years, 2 months, of 6, Oxford Street, Whitstable, a petty officer in the Sea Cadets, has been instructed to join the Army and refused permission to serve in the Royal Navy, although he has been accepted for the Fleet Air Arm; on what grounds an efficient member of the Sea Cadets is not allowed to enter the Royal Navy; and whether he will issue the necessary instructions to ensure that Mr. Willett is permitted to enter the Fleet Air Arm.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Yes, Sir. The reason why Mr. Willett and other Sea Cadets who had been previously accepted could not be called up for the Royal Navy was explained by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty in a written reply on 5th November to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton), a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member. The answer to the third part of the Question is in the negative.

Commander Noble

Is not the Parliamentary Secretary aware that during the passage of the National Service Bill the Government stated that, although the assurance would not be incorporated in the Bill, everything possible would be done to meet this sort of case?

Mr. Ness Edwards

Certainly, but this does not arise under the National Service Act, and I cannot therefore, see how it can apply.

Mr. Awbery

Do not the Admiralty recognise membership of the Sea Cadets as preliminary training for the Navy?

Mr. Ness Edwards

This question has been put to the Admiralty before, and I suggest that they be chased up again in the matter.

Sir Ronald Ross

How can any reason be adequate to prevent a boy whose heart is really in the Navy from being sent to the Navy?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I should have thought that the lack of vacancies in the Navy would be a sufficient reason.