§ Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Minister of Defence what procedure or procedures exist for ensuring that science graduates, and men of equivalent qualification, are given only such work in the Forces as will ensure that their special knowledge is made full use of.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydSpecial arrangements exist for the allocation of the Services of science graduates and men with equivalent qualifications who become liable for National Service. Except where such men are allowed, by virtue of pre-Service training, to serve in the Royal Navy or Royal Air Force or where they apply for aircrew training, these arrangements are designed to allot them to the Service where their special qualifications can best be used.
With the exceptions which I have already mentioned, both the Royal Navy 206W and the Royal Air Force only accept for National Service those science graduates or men with equivalent qualifications who are suitable for commissioning into the technical branches of these Services. So far as the Army is concerned, a careful selection procedure, involving the examination of academic records and interview, ensures that these men are given the most suitable work available, although not all scientific qualifications can be directly utilised by the Army. If they have the necessary officer qualities, science graduates and those with equivalent qualifications called up to the Army are eligible for National Service commissions, either in technical or other branches, in the same way as other National Service men.