§ Captain Pluggeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement as to the calling up of those young men who have volunteered for the Navy but have since been reserved or protected?
§ Mr. BevinI have been asked to reply. By men who have volunteered for the Navy I presume my hon. and gallant Friend means those who on registering under the National Service Acts expressed a preference for Naval Service. If any such men were reserved at the time of registration or subsequently became reserved or deferred their position is the same as that of any other registered men so reserved or deferred, namely, that they will not in general be called up whilst they remain reserved or deferred. In individual cases, where a man who volunteers for the Navy is reserved but possesses special qualifications, the operation of the Schedule may be waived after consultation between the Departments concerned. A man who volunteers for service as a pilot or observer in the Fleet Air Arm may be accepted notwithstanding the fact that he is reserved by the Schedule.