§ 45. Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister whether the Government have considered a review of the National Service Acts, particularly with a view to a reduction in the period of service.
§ 46. Mr. Yatesasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the National Service Act comes to an end during 1953; and if he will take steps to review the obligation of, and the need for, compulsory National Service, with a view to its eventual abolition.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)Questions on the National Service Acts should normally be addressed to the Minister of Labour and National Service, but as these two Questions raise major issues of policy I will deal with them myself. No reduction in the period of National Service can be contemplated at the present time.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn view of the fact, which no doubt the right hon. Gentleman recognises, that the Acts come to an end before the end of this year, are the Government undertaking a review of the position? When will they be in a position to make an announcement on the subject?
§ The Prime MinisterThe future policy on National Service will be dealt with on the White Paper on Defence which it is hoped will be published next week. Thereafter there will be a defence debate in which the whole matter can be raised.
§ Mr. ShinwellI am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his statement. Do I understand from what he has just said that in the Defence White Paper the Government will state their intentions about the National Service Acts?
§ The Prime MinisterI thought that the right hon. Gentleman would like to be reassured upon that subject. I said that there will be no change, and that no reduction in the period of National Service can be contemplated at the present time.
§ Mr. YatesIs the Prime Minister aware that when the period of National Service was increased to two years a specific promise was made to the House that it would be reduced as soon as practicable and that it was not to be regarded as a feature of the British way of life? Does he not think that the country is entitled to adequate notice in order that this matter can be reviewed, and would it not, in accordance with his own policy, be an excellent step towards setting the people free by removing the shackles of conscription?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot think of anything that would be more disastrous for us than at this moment to reduce the two years' period of National Service. I am sure it would spread despondency throughout free Europe and would make even more difficult than they are many of our relations with the United States.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut regarding the problem solely from the standpoint of military expediency, and not looking at it as a matter of principle, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he did not say in October of last year that a third world war seemed unlikely, and in view of that statement is there not some reason for reviewing the position and bringing about a possible reduction in the period?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. If it be true, as we all earnestly hope, that the danger of a third world war has receded—and that is a matter which no one can declare with certitude—it is largely due to the exertions made by this country, by the United States and by our allies in Europe to place ourselves in a position of defence; and if at what may be a critical and delicate moment in world history we were suddenly to make a pull-back of this kind, it might do harm far outside anything we can think of.