§ 49. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he will now reduce die period of National Service, in view of the new decision of the United States of America on this point; and whether he will try to persuade all the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to adopt the same period of National Service.
§ Mr. BirchNo. I am informed that the United States Congress is not being asked, nor are any steps contemplated by the United States Administration, to reduce the period of whole-time service of men conscripted into their Armed Forces; but certain proposals for strengthening the reserves, and affecting men not otherwise conscripted into the forces, are under consideration.
The latter part of the Question doss not appear to arise.