§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Labour under what authority a Proclamation was issued on 3rd December making youths of 18 years of age liable for call-up for the Forces before Parliament had decided the issue?
§ Mr. BevinI presume that my hon. Friend refers to the Royal Proclamation of 27th November. This Proclamation was not a new departure: a similar Proclamation relating to men who had then reached the age of 18 was made on 29th January, 1941. Both Proclamations were made under the authority of the National Service Acts. When my hon. 1703W Friend says that Parliament had not decided the issue he is perhaps thinking of the arrangements for requiring men to serve in the Army abroad, which is quite a separate matter.