HC Deb 12 February 1980 vol 978 cc565-6W
25. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on conscription for national service.

29. Mr. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's policy in regard to conscription.

Mr. Pym

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 31 January—[Vol. 977, c. 766.]

32. Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if in his manpower planning, he will undertake not to reintroduce conscription.

Mr. Pym

No. The Government see no requirement for conscription now or in the near future, but it would not, of course, be sensible to give the indefinite undertaking for which the hon. Member is asking.

38. Mr. Ioan Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received for the restoration of conscription for national military service.

Mr. Pym

I have received a small number of letters on this from hon. Members, and from members of the public.

40. Mr. Goodhew

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the need for a register of all those likely to be called up for military service in the event of a national emergency.

Mr. Pym

As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army explained to the House on 1 February, the Government have no intention of reintroducing conscription. The question of a register does not, therefore, arise.