HC Deb 02 August 1956 vol 557 cc1567-8
9. Mr. Remnant

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce legislation to give him discretion, where a man has already served part of his National Service in one arm and has been discharged, not to call him up in another arm for the remainder of his term.

Mr. Carr

No, Sir. I am afraid my right hon. Friend cannot consider legislation on this point.

Mr. Remnant

Is my hon. Friend aware that he is relying on the legal interpretation of the Act, the words being "liable to be called up" for the balance of the period, which must be uneconomic? The ordinary layman would understand that wording to mean "may be called up." Since it is uneconomic to call them up, will he not allow common sense to prevail over legal interpretation?

Mr. Carr

I recognise the point which my hon. Friend has in mind, but when the National Service Act was passed, I think the House had in mind in these provisions that it would not be fair to the great majority of people having to do their full period of service to allow others to do less than their full service.

Mr. Remnant

If a man does service for one year and ten months, is he called up for further service for another two months?

Mr. Carr

As in all these matters, my right hon. Friend has discretion, and when a man has done most of his service, my right hon. Friend will use his discretion. In the individual case to which I expect my hon. Friend is referring, the man has done only half his normal period of service.

Mr. Remnant

It is still uneconomic.