§ Mr. McAdamasked the Minister of Labour if it is the intention of His 1945W Majesty's Government to retain for a period the Military Service Act; and if he will give an assurance that in no circumstances will the calling-up age be earlier than 22 years, and that the period of service will be limited to three years.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the Question, I am unable to give such an assurance, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for Edinburgh West (Lieut.-Colonel Hutchison) and the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) on 18th October.
Lieut.-Colonel Lindsayasked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider calling up some of the men over 30 years of age in order to make it unnecessary for men over 40 years of age and those previously repatriated under the Python scheme to be sent overseas.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsNo, Sir. The approved allocations of recruits to the Armed Forces are based upon the respective needs of the three Services and their ability to absorb and train a given number of recruits within a given period. These allocations can be met without calling up men over 30 years of age.