HC Deb 30 May 1940 vol 361 cc682-3W
Captain Alan Graham

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether he will introduce immediate legislation to compel employers to take back after the war those of their ex-service employés over the present calling-up age who are now restrained by fear of post-war unemployment from volunteering to rejoin any of the Defence Forces?

Mr. Assheton

The provisions as to reinstatement in civil employment which are contained in Section 14 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, are based on the principle that compulsory reinstatement should apply to men compulsorily called from employment for service in the Forces. I do not think that it would be practicable to impose a similar duty on employers in respect of men who voluntarily leave their employment in order to take up one of the various forms of National Service. I am sure, however, that employers generally will desire to give re-employment in due course in all cases where this is practicable.