HC Deb 30 May 1956 vol 553 cc224-6
28. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Defence whether, in view of the reduction in Soviet armed forces, he will now reduce the length of National Service.

33. Mr. D. Howell

asked the Minister of Defence what review of National Service is proposed following the recent pay increases in the Services and the reduction of Soviet forces; and when Her Majesty's Government will reduce the period of National Service.

Sir W. Monckton

I would refer to the reply which I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson) on 17th May. I have no further statement to make at present on National Service policy.

Mr. Shinwell

Surely the right hon. Gentleman recognises that that is a purely negative reply which takes us nowhere. In view of the gesture by the Soviet Union, surely it would be advisable for us to make a similar gesture, in addition to what has already been done by the contemplated cut in the Forces. Surely now is the time to say to the world at large that we are responding to this gesture by reducing the period of National Service. Is it not contemplated by the Government quite seriously that before long they will make a cut?

Sir W. Monckton

The answer to that is, first of all, that if we are to consider our policy on National Service, it is very desirable—indeed, the right hon. Gentleman himself drew attention to this on 20th April—that we should see what has been the effect of the increases in pay on the numbers recruited and the period for which people take on. That is one of the things at which we must look. It would be most undesirable to make a general statement of National Service policy until we are aware of the relevant factors. Unlike what may be said of other people, this country is already in the process of taking substantial steps to reduce its armed forces.

Mr. F. M. Bennett

Whatever cuts the Soviet Union may or may not have made in their armed forces, is it not a fact that today they retain two years' national service for their army?

Mr. Stokes

Does not the Minister recollect that on 15th February he told me that he hoped that National Service would be ended long before the next General Election and that his statement was made long before the announcement of the reduction in the Russian armed forces? Surely he is now able to say that he intends to do something about it, regardless of what the Russians do. He need not shelter behind that at all.

Sir W. Monckton

I am not sheltering behind hopes. I was very careful on that occasion to qualify my statement when the opportunity was given me. All I am saying now is that I am sure that this is not the moment for a pronouncement on National Service.

31. Mr. Allaun

asked the Minister of Defence if he will release from National Service all sons of widowed mothers.

Sir W. Monckton

No, Sir. It would be unfair automatically to exempt men in these circumstances from National Service. I am satisfied, however, that sympathetic consideration is given to appeals for release on compassionate grounds where continuance of National Service would cause grave hardship.

Mr. Allaun

Is the Minister aware that some National Service men who are the bread-winners for seven or eight young children are being refused release? Will he, on humanitarian grounds alone, consider releasing at least those men who are the mainstays of widows with one or more young children particularly, as they do in America?

Sir W. Monckton

Perhaps the hon. Member will send to the Ministers responsible for the Service Departments concerned the cases which he has in mind. I would only say that I still think it would be wrong to take a group, such as the sons of widowed mothers, and say that that group, where the hardship may not in all cases be as great as in some other cases, should be automatically exempted.

Mr. G. Thomas

While appreciating the force of the Minister's argument, may I ask him to bear in mind that there is room for greater flexibility in the tribunals which test these cases of hardship, because there is a limit beyond which they are not allowed to go and cases of extreme hardship are caused by the present system?

Sir W. Monckton

I think we are now dealing with the situation at a later stage. We are not considering exemption from National Service, or I should not be answering the Question. We are considering the release of those who have been called up.