MILITARY TRAINING BILL. (Hansard, 16 May 1939)

§ Mr. H. G. Williams
asked the Minister of Labour what public notice will be given of the proposed calling up of Territorials and militiamen, respectively, in order that those employers who employ a substantial proportion of those concerned may be given requisite time for the necessary re-organisation of their staff; whether it is intended to call up the militiamen in age groups; and, if so, whether advance information will be published as to the dates on which the different groups will be required to report for duty?

§ Mr. E. Brown
On the assumption that the Military Training Bill receives the Royal Assent before Whitsun, registration of all men between the ages of 20 and 21 years who are liable under the Bill will take place on Saturday, 3rd June. Full details as to the method of registration will be given in good time and will be widely published. Medical examination of men registered will commence on Thursday, 8th June, with at least two days' clear notice in each case.
The first group of men to be called up, consisting of between 40,000 and 50,000 will receive their calling-up notices on or 1198W about Saturday, 1st July, requiring them to report to their units a fortnight later. Subsequent groups will be called up for training at intervals of two months. Subject to any variations that may be necessary on industrial or other grounds, men will be called up in age order, the oldest first and the youngest last.
My right hon. Friends, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and the Secretaries of State for War and Air, ask me to give the following details of steps that will be taken provided that the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Bill has become law.
The Admiralty propose to call up into service, to increase the preparedness of the Fleet, the following reservists as from 15th June:

(i) Half the Royal Fleet Reserve, Class D (immediate class) for a period of three months from 15th June, and the second half of this class of the Reserve similarly in the middle of September for a like period;

(ii) About 750 pensioners for three months from 15th June, followed by a similar number for the three months from the middle of September. Pensioners who have most recently completed their time will be called up for this service;

(iii) About 50 wireless and signal ratings of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer (Wireless) Reserve, for three months from 15th June, and a similar number for the subsequent three months;

(iv) About 300 men of the Royal Naval Reserve Patrol Service for three months from 15th June, and a like number for the subsequent three months.

(v) The necessary number of retired and reserve officers will be called up for a period of six months from 15th June.
In the case of the Army the first group of Territorial anti-aircraft units will be called up to report on nth June, and the first group of reservists on 15th June. A provisional warning is being issued to those affected.
As regards the Royal Air Force it is intended to call up by groups the A.A.F. personnel of the London Squadrons of the Balloon Barrage, and the first group will be called up to report on 11th June.
1199W

Mr. De la Bère
asked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with the contributory superannuation schemes which have been put into operation by so many commercial undertakings in this country and to which employés aged 20 years are contributors, he will consider introducing the necessary legislation to enable the contributions payable by such employés and their employers to be kept up during the time of their military service in order that the actuarial calculations for the soundness of such schemes may not be disturbed?

§ Mr. E. Brown
The protection of rights under superannuation schemes is one of a number of consequential matters that will arise by reason of the provisions of the Military Training Bill. It is intended that appropriate provision shall be made on all such matters by Orders in Council under Clause 10 of that Bill.