HC Deb 28 April 1953 vol 514 cc1931-3
6. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for War what categories of men are exempt from Territorial Army training following their whole-time service under the National Service Act for occupational reasons.

Mr. Head

None are legally exempted, but it is impracticable to train men serving in the Merchant Navy or as lighthouse keepers, and those preparing to enter the Church are not called for training.

7. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for War how many underground mineworkers, who were called up whilst otherwise employed, are at present under a statutory obligation to do training in the Territorial Army; and if, in view of the general exemption of mineworkers from National Service and the unavailability of these men to the Army in wartime, he will bring forward amending legislation to exempt them from Territorial Army service.

Mr. Head

It is not possible to give the figure asked for in the first part of the Question without a special and laborious inquiry, but it is probably not large. Although these men could be excused Territorial Army training without amending legislation, we cannot assume that men who have become trained soldiers will not be available to the Army in the event of war.

Mr. Swingler

In view of the general exemption of underground mineworkers from call-up because of the crucial importance and arduous character of their work, and because they would not be available to the Army in any circumstances, does not the Minister agree that those circumstances also apply to this category of men? Is it not clear that they would not be available to the Army in any circumstances as long as they are underground mineworkers, and is it not therefore unnecessarily irksome and wasteful to call them up for training with the T.A.?

Mr. Head

These men were not engaged in this type of work at the time of call-up. They went into it afterwards. A great deal of thought has been given to this question of exemption from part-time training. If we start a differentiation between various types of job we can get into very great difficulties. I am satisfied that, by and large, the present policy is a wise one.

Mr. Fernyhough

Can the Minister say what would happen to an underground worker who said, "I am going to have the same exemption as everybody else and I am not going to do my annual training"? Would his Department prosecute in that case and, if they did and the man went to prison, who would get the coal which we so badly need?

Mr. Head

I think the hon. Gentleman is under some misapprehension. These are men who have done two years' full-time service when they were not in the mines and who entered the mines subsequently. They are in a different category from those who are exempt. As far as exemption from part-time service is concerned, it may well be that these men may subsequently leave that form of employment. This regulation has been adhered to under some difficulty for some time, and, quite frankly, I believe this is the right policy to pursue.