§ Mr. T. SMITHasked the Home Secretary whether there are now any facilities for prison officers to re-enlist or join the Territorial Army; and if he is aware that a number of prison officers have been refused permission to re-enlist or join the Territorial Army?
§ Mr. LLOYDThere is, of course, no desire to discourage men from joining the2798W Territorial Army, but at the present time so high a percentage of the prison staffs are reservists who are liable to recall to the colours in the event of a national emergency, that it is impracticable to allow more officers to undertake obligations which might result in their withdrawal for military duty at a time when they would be urgently needed in the prison service.