§ Sir J. Lambasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that members of the C.D. general services who were compulsorily directed to those services after 10th April, 1941, have no statutory right of reinstatement, whereas it is understood that persons directed into a C.D. force, such as the N.F.S. and Police War Reserve, have that right; and upon what grounds this distinction has been made.
§ Mr. BevinThose persons who were called up under the National Service Acts and enrolled in a Civil Defence Force had reinstatement rights under those Acts and were therefore included in the Reinstatement in Civil Employment Act. So far as I am aware no persons have been compulsorily directed into whole-time work in the Civil Defence general services.
§ Sir J. Lambasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that members of the C.D. general services who have left these services, voluntarily or by call-up, to join the Armed Forces appear to be entitled to reinstatement by the C.D. authority, and if that occupation is not available when they are demobilised the authority will be, under the Reinstatement Act, obliged to employ them in the most favourable occupation and on the most favourable conditions practicable; 1260W and whether, as the pay of these services has been reimbursed by the Government, he will accept the responsibility for finding employment, or indemnify the authority against the consequences of having to provide alternative employment.
§ Mr. BevinThe Reinstatement in Civil Employment Act does not require employers to re-employ former employees unless it is both reasonable and practicable for them to do so. In such circumstances no question of indemnification arises. I shall, of course, do everything possible to place ex-members of the Civil Defence Services in employment, together with other persons who may be similarly placed.