§ (The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, whether they will now reconsider the ruling given in the House of Lords on October 28, 1948, to the effect that men called up under the National Service Act, 1948, for service in the Army would not, if granted commissions, be placed under any obligation, at the end of their full-time service, to accept the normal liabilities of volunteer officers of the Territorial Army.]
LORD PAKENHAMMy Lords, it has not been thought desirable to ask the National Service man who takes a commission during his whole-time service to undertake a higher liability for training during part-time service than is imposed on other ranks by the Act. The noble Lord's suggestion is, however, being further considered by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for War, who will write to the noble Lord.
LORD ROCHDALEMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for his reply, and not a little encouraged by the latter part. May I ask that, when the Secretary of State for War does reconsider it, he will bear in mind the statement made in another place on December 15 last, dealing with an almost exactly parallel case with regard to the Royal Navy? It was stated then that successful candidates for commissions in the Royal Navy will be required to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and to accept the normal liability of Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve officers.
LORD PAKENHAMMy Lords, without accepting the implications of the noble Lord's remarks. I will certainly draw the attention of my right honourable friend to the noble Lord's observations. I hope he will not be unduly encouraged by my reply, though I hope, equally, that he will not be unduly discouraged by it.