CONSCRIPTION IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25179, 9 May 1947, Page 7

CONSCRIPTION IN BRITAIN

REVISED PROPOSALS APPROVED SERVICE REDUCED TO ONE YEAR (NX Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. May 7. With only 17 votes agdinst it toe Government carried in me House ot Commons to-night its revised proposals for the National Service Bill setting 12 months as the period of service for conscription instead ot 18 months a* originally specified in the'bill ’nie House voted after the Minister of Defence (Mr A. V. Alexander), replying to the debate, said that the change meant no surrender on foreign policy., The . Government had taken the risk that between now and 1960 the situation regarding Britain’s commitments would improve. The Government, after 1948, could rely on overseas stations and more on regular troops. The position might deteriorate and if it did the Government would have to review the matter. The bill, as amended, would provide just the same number of reserves, but It was a matter tor debate whether they would be as well-trained. Specialists’ work, for which longer training was necessary, would be done mainly by the regulars. Before the House divided. Mr Churchill explained that the Conservatives would vote for 18 months' service, but if this were defeated it would support the Government on the motion to make the term of service 12 months. Attacking Mr Alexander’s speech, he said that the Government had responded to pressure from its “tail below the gangway." Nothing could be done more to weaken confidence in the Government. Mr Alexander had nakedly admitted that the reason for the change wa* political. The change was degrading and disreputable, and of a nature rarely seen in Britain. The Government had panicked under the pressure of a minority whom the House of Commons had decisively outvoted. The House defeated the 18 month* proposal by 311 votes to 188. and approved the 12-month period by 3M votes to 17.