HC Deb 16 November 1948 vol 458 cc182-3
6. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for War how many recent recruiting meetings have been addressed by Members of Parliament; what were the approximate costs per meeting; the average attendance; and the average number of recruits obtained per meeting.

Mr. Shinwell

Territorial Army recruiting meetings are normally arranged by Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations and the information asked for is not available in the War Office.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is the Secretary of State aware that it was at his instigation that I put this Question on the Order Paper? Could he not answer it?

Mr. Shinwell

I must be acquitted of any desire to prompt the hon. Member.

Mr. Gallacher

May I ask the Minister if it is the case that the only recruit he obtained at Woking was a lad named Gallacher, and would he confirm that it was not the hon. Member for West Fife or a fellow traveller?

Mr. Shinwell

It is perfectly true that the name of the recruit was Gallacher, but I received no assistance from the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher).

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell me how many recruiting meetings have been addressed by the hon. Member for Ayr——

Sir T. Moore

For South Ayrshire.

Squadron-Leader Fleming

—by the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes)?

Mr. Shinwell

None, so far as I know.

Mrs. Jean Mann

Could the Secretary of State explain why it is that in constituencies where the Member took no part at all the returns are very much higher than in constituencies like, say, Perth, where the return is the lowest of all Scotland?

Mr. Shinwell

It depends on the Member.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Could not the Secretary of State make an effort to get this information for us?