HC Deb 23 September 1948 vol 456 cc1084-5
51. Mr. A. R. W. Low

asked the Minister of Labour how many of those now included in Class Z reserve would be available for immediate recall in the event of an emergency.

Mr. Isaacs

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on Tuesday, 21st September.

Mr. Low

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement made by the First Lord of the Admiralty yesterday, that the number was approximately 2,000,000, was a guess, a leak, or just a brick?

Mr. Isaacs

A bit of each, perhaps.

Earl Winterton

Surely the right hon. Gentleman cannot answer in that manner? Cannot he answer a question whether the statement is correct? Surely he can say that he has nothing to say on the subject, or that the statement of the First Lord was correct?

Mr. Isaacs

I have answered the Question on the Order Paper. I have nothing to add to the statement I made about the numbers in this Question. I am not called upon at this moment to comment upon the statement of anybody else.

Earl Winterton

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept any responsibility for the statement of the First Lord of the Admiralty? Do this Government do their business only in Departments?

Mr. Isaacs

I accept all the responsibility attaching to the duties for which I am responsible.