MAN POWER CONSCRIPTION

Evening Star, Issue 22973, 2 June 1938, Page 11

MAN POWER CONSCRIPTION

NO PLANS PREPARED COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE CERTAIN IN MAJOR WAR (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 1. (Received June 2, at noon.) A statement by Mr Chamberlain in the House of Commons at question time, in reply to questions prompted by Sir Thomas luskip’s allusion in Monday’s debate to plans for the allocation of individual services in wartime (which was interpreted as implying conscription in the widest sense), was followed by a large number of supplementary questions. The essence of the matter was contained in Mr Chamberlain’s opening sentence: “ It is not correct that any plans prepared by the Government include conscription of man power in war, but plans are in existence for compulsory military service in that event. “ I may say that this is no new departure,” Mr Chamberlain continued. “ The outlines of a scheme in the form of a draft Bill providing for compulsory service on the outbreak of war have been in an advanced state of preparation since 1922, and have been subject to consideration by successive Governments since that date. “ No such scheme has been worked out for the application of compulsion to industrial or other non-military service, although from time to time consideration ha" been given to the question how to make the most efficient use of the nation’s man power in war time, “ While it is not possible to foretell the full extent of the demand that may have to be made upon the personal services and resources of individual members of the public in a major war, it is certain that any proposals of the kind would have to receive the assent of Parliament, and would be based on the recommendation of the Government of the day.” SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS. In the course of the supplementary questions attention was turned to possible interpretations of Sir Thomas Inskip’s words, and Mr Chamberlain conceded that if Sir Thomas had had longer to prepare his remarks he might have expressed himself differently and emphasised that all the sentences cited by the Opposition were intended to convey , was that enlistment during peace time in various special • services such as auxiliary fire brigades, air wardens, etc., could not be taken as giving permanent exemption from military service. As the interchange of questions and answers - proceeded interest shifted to the character of the plans in existence and the implication they carried of the Government’s intentions. Interrogated on the latter part of his above statement, Mr Chamberlain recalled that he had not said the Bill was but an outline. In the form of a draft the Bill had been in existence since 1922. “ I said it had been under the consideration of successive Governments,” he stated. “ I did not say what view the successive Governments had taken. I am not entitled to say that, but I do say again that it has been changed by successive Governments from time to time.” To a later question suggesting that the Government was committed to compulsory service in war and asking about the conscription of wealth, Mr Chamberlain replied emphatically ; “ It is not the case. The Government is not committed to anything in the nature of compulsory service. It would be a question for the Government of the day, in the event of, war, to decide whether it was its duty to put before Parliament proposals for compulsory service.” “ That is only in the event of war breaking out.” Mr Chamberlain concluded. “At present neither this House nor the Government is committed to compulsory military service. I cannot possibly say what action would be taken by anv. Government that was in office at the time war did break out.”