§ Sir R. Youngasked the Minister of Defence whether those Service men who, by reason of their skill of trade, or efficiency in other directions, have had their demobilisation deferred will be called upon to serve a further three months beyond the period of deferment; and will arrangements be made whereby those called up in 1946 will not be retained for longer than 2¼ years.
§ Mr. AlexanderAs regards the first part of the Question, the answer is "No." As I made clear in the course of my speech opening the Debate on 23rd September men already deferred will not be held to serve longer than three months from the date on which they were originally due for release under the age and service scheme. The system of having different release dates for different trades or Arms, which is not a form of deferment but a normal part of the age and service scheme, will, however, continue. I regret that I cannot give an assurance on the point raised in the second part of the Question.