HC Deb 11 May 1939 vol 347 c722W
Captain Plugge

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty up to what age pensioners of the Royal Navy may be called up for service at the present time; and whether, in view of the fact that arrangements are now being made to call up such pensioners for service before a real emergency arises, it will be possible to call up in the first place those men who have no employment or only temporary employment, rather than those in one-man businesses and other occupations which would be seriously jeopardised by such calling up?

Mr. Shakespeare

Although naval pensioners can be called up for service up to any age, it is not the general intention that elderly pensioners should be called up for service at the present time. Naval requirements in certain branches could not be met if calling up were restricted to men not in employment; but the arrangements made for calling up will be such as to avoid hardship wherever possible.