HC Deb 18 November 1952 vol 507 cc1554-5
14. Mr. George Craddock

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the termination of National Service legislation next year, he will take an early opportunity to acquaint the House with the Government's proposals.

Sir W. Monckton

Present conditions are not such as to enable me to hold out hope that call-up for National Service can be abandoned as early as the end of 1953. The Government's intentions will be announced as far in advance of that date as possible.

Mr. Craddock

When will the Prime Minister be in a position to notify the House about this very important problem, which affects the lives of so many of our young people?

Sir W. Monckton

I certainly agree about the importance of the problem, but I cannot give a date at present. As soon as I can I will.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not exceedingly important from the standpoint of the young men concerned, having regard to their plans and careers, etc., that the Government should announce their intentions at a very early date. What is meant by advancing the date as early as possible? Is not that very non-committal and ambiguous?

Sir W. Monckton

I should not have thought that there was any ambiguity in saying that we will announce it as far in advance of the date as possible. The date is the end of next year, and as far in advance of that as is possible we will announce our intentions.

Mr. Speir

May I ask the Minister if he will agree about the importance of not reducing the period of National Service so long as it is necessary to maintain the call-up of agricultural workers; and may I ask him also whether he will consider the desirability of making those agricultural workers who have been exempted from the call-up, or deferred, liable to service in either the Territorial Army or the Home Guard?

Sir W. Monckton

That is quite a different question, but I will consider it if the hon. Gentleman will put it on the Order Paper.

Mr. Fernyhough

Does the Minister realise that the party opposite at the last Election declaimed that they would "set the people free," and that, unless this Act is allowed to lapse, they will still be imprisoning, against their will, something like 200,000 youths every year?