Viscountess Astorasked the Attorney-General how many men and how many women have been appointed as justices of the peace during the last three years; and how many of them were under 50 years of age?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe following is the information as to the number of appointments during the last three years. I regret I cannot say how many of the persons appointed were under 50 years of age, but my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor attaches great importance to the question of age, and during these years a large proportion of the persons appointed have been under 50. The appointment of persons above the age of 65 has been made only in a few exceptional cases.
2 Clerical Officers from the Ministry of Labour.
2 Clerical Assistants from the Home Office.
1 Shorthand Typist from the Ministry of Labour.
Edinburgh:
1 Third Class Officer from the Ministry of Labour.
§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the total response to date, in main categories, of the appeal for enrolment for national service; if he is satisfied with the result; and whether any changes are contemplated in the scope and character of his propaganda campaign or in the methods now employed to obtain an effective National Register?
§ Sir J. AndersonI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made in the 1465W House yesterday by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour. The response to the appeal for enrolment for national service up to the present may, in my view, be regarded as satisfactory, particularly bearing in mind the short recruiting period to which it relates. As regards the third part of the question, steps have been taken by my right hon. Friend to give every assistance to local National Service Committees to enable them to stimulate and intensify the recruiting campaign in their localities where necessary, in order to secure the additional volunteers required as speedily as possible.
§ Mr. Hopkinasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that a resolution was passed at the 18th annual conference of the Wales area of the British Legion, representing 336 branches and 32,000 financial members, in which complaint was made that the Legion was being completely ignored in connection with the organisation of National Service in Wales; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the Legion shall have a proper share in this national work?
§ Mr. E. J. Williamsasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has considered the resolution passed at the annual conference of the British Legion in Wales, representing 32,000 members, drawing attention to the manner in which the membership in the Principality appeared to be ignored in connection with the organisation of National Service; and whether he can now say what action he proposes to take to satisfy the claims of the British Legion in this matter?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe resolution referred to has been brought to my attention, and I understand that it is directed to the possibility of securing the representation of the British Legion as such on all local National Service Committees. As regards this, I would refer the hon. Members to the answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. Boyce).
§ Mr. Parkerasked the Lord Privy Seal whether the vacancies with women's voluntary services, which were recently advertised by his Department as temporary posts, carrying salaries up to £300 a year, are full-time Civil Service appointments, and subject to the general 1466W Civil Service regulations governing temporary employment in Government Departments?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir.