14. Mr. E. Martin Smithasked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange that no man on Class Z Reserve, at present studying for examinations, will be called up until such examinations are over.
§ Mr. StracheyProvision will be made for any recalled Z and equivalent Reservists to apply for postponement of recall on grounds of hardship. Due consideration will be given to the cases of those studying for examinations.
Mr. SmithMay I express the hope that the right hon. Gentleman will give this matter early consideration, because these men are potential technicians and specialists, and even a fortnight's delay may make the whole difference to their future career?
§ Mr. StracheyWe will certainly take that into earnest consideration.
§ Mr. RemnantWill apprentices, during their apprenticeship, also be included in that special consideration?
§ Mr. StracheyThat is another question and one which will concern my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.
§ 17. Mr. Alportasked the Secretary of State for War what purpose the questionnaire recently sent to Class Z Reservists is intended to serve.
§ Mr. StracheyI can perhaps best answer this Question by quoting from the form. Paragraph 2 of the form reads:
The object of asking you to supply this information is to enable the Ministry of Labour and National Service to consider the question of your availability for recall should the need ever arise. It is important that you should complete this form correctly and return it promptly failure to do so may mean that you will be regarded as available for recall whatever your occupation may be.
§ Mr. AlportWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has received full returns from that circular which was sent out, and whether it was sent out to all men on the Class Z Reserve or, if it was only sent to a portion of the men, whether that indicates any particular liability for call-up?
§ Mr. StracheyThe response has been extremely encouraging, and a high 700 percentage of the forms has been completed. In answer to the other question —no, not all Z Reservists receive these forms, and the receipt of them is no particular indication.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether this questionnaire included a question asking the Class Z men whether they wished to be called up?
§ Mr. Edward HeathWhere the forms have been completed, is it proposed to allocate the Z Reservists to particular regiments and to tell them which units they will have to report to on mobilisation?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir.