§ 46. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the large number of trained soldiers now available and the assurance given that two years' National Service was a temporary measure, he proposes to introduce legislation repealing or modifying conscription.
§ The Prime MinisterNo. Sir.
§ Mr. HughesWill the Prime Minister tell us how far he endorses those authorities who recently argued that defence expenditure must be cut in the interests of national solvency? Or is the slogan of the Government "Security through Bankruptcy"?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman is, I think, anticipating some topics which might well be touched upon in the course of the debate that we are to have next week.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhile dissociating myself completely from the reasons which animate my hon. Friend, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the fact—and it is a fact—that we have largely achieved our purpose, namely, the provision of a substantial number of trained reserves through National Service and of the need for removing the imposition now placed on agriculture in the call-up of men for the Services, whether it might not be desirable to review the position?
§ The Prime MinisterThe position is always being reviewed. Nobody wants to call up more men than are necessary, but the idea of shortening the period from two years to 18 months would be the most unhelpful and the most injurious way of modifying the position that could be suggested.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in all the discussions on National Service that took place in the House; having regard to all the difficult conditions that have prevailed, Members on his own side argued all the way through that if we could produce a sufficient number of Regulars in the Forces the term of National Service could actually be reduced to six months?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure there could be no worse step for us to take than to reduce the term or period of service, with all the extra cost that it means on release, and so forth, at a time when we are, in common with other N.A.T.O. nations, endeavouring to get a prolongation of service adopted in other countries with whom we are acting.
§ Mr. ProfumoWould my right hon. Friend not agree that any relaxation in the building up of our Armed Forces at this moment would tend to undermine the prestige which the Foreign Secretary has so skilfully managed to reestablish recently for this country abroad?