HC Deb 02 August 1956 vol 557 cc1568-9
10. Mr. Allaun

asked the Minister of Labour to give an assurance that he will consider the effect on young workers in unskilled, office, or other jobs of not exempting them from National Service in the alternative schemes of National Service which he is at present considering.

Mr. Carr

As my right hon. Friend indicated in the debate on 31st July, the whole pattern of National Service in the future is under active consideration.

Mr. Allaun

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Prime Minister, addressing the Conservative Party conference last October, said: I do not believe a system of selective service or balloting would be acceptable to the people of this country."? If National Service is unpopular as the Minister admitted to the House on Tuesday—and as far as the conscripts and parents are concerned, that is putting it mildly—does not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that a selective call-up would be doubly resented by those not exempted and by their parents and families?

Mr. Carr

All aspects of this difficult question are under consideration at the moment, but for the present there is nothing further I can add to what my right hon. Friend has said.