RUSH LEGISLATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1939, Page 3

RUSH LEGISLATION

I BRITISH MEASURES ARMED FORCES BILL LONDON, September 2. The National Service Armed Forces Bill provides that men are liable to serve upon the issue of a proclamation. Employers must reinstate employees, and must not dismiss men liable for service. Clerks in Holy Orders or regular ministers are exempted, i j The Bill does not apply to Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. .Persons not liable for service are those not ordinarily resident in Great Britain, nationals, or citizens of the Dominions or of British protectorates and mandated territories. On the introduction of the Bill, Mr. A. Greenwood, Acting Leader of the Opposition, said he was anti-conscrip-tionist at heart, but an entirely new situation had been created since the last Conscription Act was passed, there^ fore Labour would support the Bill. Labour was disturbed by the extension of the Bill to youths of 18. The Minister of War (Mr. HoreBelisha) replied that the range of 18 to 41 years did not mean that service would begin at the age of 18. For the purposes of the Bill it was intended to call up men in classes of age groups, as on the Continent. Mr. Hore-Belisha explained that the Bill replaced the Military Training Act. lit did not differentiate between married and single men, unless- in the event of exceptional hardship. Labour leaders supported the second reading, stressing the importance of unity of the nation against aggression and emphasising the necessity of the elimination of war profiteering. The Opposition was gratified that the Bill received time for discussion and that the regulations imposing service were submitted to Parliament. The second reading was carried by 340 to seven votes. - y . Introducing the Personal Injuries Emergency Provisions Bill, the Minister of Pensions stated that loss or damage caused by war was regarded as the affair of the' community. Accidental injuries sustained on duty were, included. The scheme applies also to those carrying on ordinary duties, as the Government believes that as many people as possible should carry on ordinary employment in the national interest. Injury allowances are to be paid without means test, the amount depending on" the number of dependants. Everyone is to be treated alike. Payments are to be immediate to tide the victim over the first, emergency. Immediate treatment is to be given in local hospitals or private practice, if not serious. For serious injury or disablement a person may receive a pension, awarded on service lines. ( (independent Cabla Service.) ' LONDON, September 3. The House of Commons passed all stages of the Prize Bill, enabling Prize Courts to deal with aircraft and cargoes, and the Government of India Bill, giving the Government in India similar power to that of the British Government tinder the Emergency Powers Bill. ■ It also passed the Courts Emergency Powers Bill, which is similar to the measure in force during the Great War when a special Court decided whether* non-satisfaction of> payments was due directly or indirectly to the war.