§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can explain the position of Great Western Railway employés under the National Service scheme, seeing that they have been told by the company that, though they are free to enrol for purposes of Civil Defence the company retains the first call on their services in the event of an emergency?
§ Sir J. AndersonI understand that the company have advised their employés that although they are free to enrol for part-time service in Civil Defence, such enrolment must be subject, in the event of emergency, to the overriding claims of the requirements of the railway service 619W in which they are employed. As my hon. Friend will appreciate, in time of emergency the continued operation of the railways would be of vital importance, and it is essential that their staffs should not be unduly depleted. Employés, therefore, who volunteer for part-time service will only be able to render such service at such times as they may not be required for essential duty on the railway.