HC Deb 02 April 1957 vol 568 cc216-7
18. Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the recently amended National Service Regulations permitting the postponement of call-up in the case of a man who has a relative physically dependent on him, or who is the mainstay of an orphaned family or of a widow with a child or children to look after, or a man living alone with a widowed mother; and whether National Service men at present serving in the Army will be allowed to apply for postponement of further service in such cases of exceptional hardship.

Mr. John Hare

Broadly speaking, grounds which would justify the postponement of call-up for National Service would justify the release on compassionate grounds of a National Service man who was already carrying out his National Service. I can assure the hon. Member that any application of the kind he has in mind will be sympathetically considered.

Mr. Allaun

While thanking the Minister for what is a most important Answer, may I ask him whether he does not think that there must be many men in the Services in these conditions of exceptional hardship who are unaware of these new concessions? Can he bring them to their attention in every unit?

Mr. Hare

I think that the hon. Member's Question will give great publicity to this matter.