§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Minister of National Service whether men who have joined the Volunteer Training Corps as a condition of exemption granted by tribunals are obliged to continue service with that corps in the event of the tribunals' exemption expiring because protection certificates have been issued without any obligation attached to them?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. In cases where tribunals imposed Volunteer service as a definite condition of exemption, it has been decided that unless this condition is withdrawn by the tribunal the man must remain a member of the Volunteer Force even if the tribunal's exemption expired on account of the issue of a protection certificate or for any other reason. Under the recent Military Service Act, unless a tribunal specifically directs otherwise, a man granted a certificate of exemption is automatically liable to join the Volunteer Force. In such a case, if the original certificate of exemption lapses or is withdrawn, the man's liability to serve in the Volunteer Force ends.