§ 8. Brigadier Prior-Palmerasked the Minister of Labour whether he will give an indication of the proposed maximum age for call-up into the Armed Forces in the event of an emergency in order thereby to assist the recruiting campaign for civil defence and allied voluntary services.
§ Mr. IsaacsI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my very detailed reply to the hon. Member for Kingston-on-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) on 18th September, 1950.
§ Brigadier Prior-PalmerDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that there is still a large number of people who are reluctant to join the voluntary services because they still hold a hope of being able to rejoin their old units? Does he realise that if he will state an upper age limit, such as 50 or 55, the whole of the category above that age limit would be eager and willing to join the voluntary services?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) set out very clearly the points which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has in mind. I think that very full answer covers the point. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at it and, if there is any point which is not covered, I shall be very glad to try and put it right.