§ 43. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the assurances given by officers of his Department to a young man, particulars of whom have been sent to him, that service with the Merchant Navy would count as National Service, he will cancel the steps now taken to call him up to the Armed Forces, notwithstanding 18 months' service with the Merchant Navy.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Ness Edwards)Since I wrote to the hon. Member recently about this case, I have given it further consideration. There is doubt as to whether this young man was given the right information by a local office of the Ministry, as a result of which he interrupted his normal career for service in the Merchant Navy. He did this in good faith, having been informed that such service would discharge his national service obligations. In these circumstances, it has been decided not to proceed with calling him up for service in His Majesty's Forces now that he has left the Merchant Navy.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am obliged.
§ Mr. BeechmanWould the Minister give serious consideration to the possibility of service in the Mercantile Marine counting as National Service, because many of us think it certainly should?
Mr. Ness-EdwardsThat matter has already been considered in the House, and the view of the House, I think, is against it.