§ 1. Mr. Oliverasked the Minister of Labour whether youths called up for National Service have their attention drawn to the fact that if they volunteer for a longer period of service they lose the protection of subsequent employment as provided by the Reinstatement in Civil Employment Act.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service (Mr. Harold Watkinson)Under present arrangements this may not be done in every case, but I will introduce the necessary changes to ensure that it is.
§ Mr. OliverI am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for his answer, but is not statutory power required to make this compulsory?
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, Sir. We think that this is probably done in nearly every case. I am obliged to the hon. and learned Member for bringing it to our notice, and we shall make the slight necessary change in the directions for our own people to see that it is done.