National Service Bill Opposed by Sixty British labour M’s.P.

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1947, Page 8

National Service Bill Opposed by Sixty British labour M’s.P.

LONDON) March 20. A Labour motion for the rejection :of the National Service Bill was tabled last night, and it is said to have the backing of sixty members of the party, says The Times Parliamentary correspondent. Sponsors of the motion believe that, by the time the second reading debate takes place, it will have the support of at least eighty Labour members. The Government supporters who are opposing the Eiil include both a small Pacifist group who object to conscription on conscientious grounds, and a larger number who have been continuously pressing for the reduction of the strength of the forces. They hqld that Britain cannot afford to maintain over a million men under arms in peace time.