Z Reserve (Exemptions)

Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 19 February 1952.

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Photo of Mr Charles Hale Mr Charles Hale , Oldham West 12:00, 19 February 1952

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a full statement as to the grounds upon which exemption from the Z call-up may be granted.

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

There are two broad categories which merit exemption, those in which the reservists's physical condition makes him unfit for training and those in which his absence from his home or place of business will cause extreme hardship to the reservist or to his dependants. Within these categories there is a very wide variety of cases, each of which must be considered on its merits. For this reason, I do not think that it would be practicable to give a detailed statement to cover the whole of this field.

Photo of Mr Charles Hale Mr Charles Hale , Oldham West

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that while there may be a very wide variety of exemption categories there may also be a very wide variation in the interpretation of the words "extreme hardship"? Should not some indication be given of the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to one man businesses and people who are employed in departments where the people concerned go away for a fortnight and other people are employed?

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

I shall be pleased to discuss this matter with the hon. Gentleman after Questions to see whether we can get to anything satisfactory. At the present moment every case is considered on its merits, I think always sympathetically, but it is very hard to define an exact set of rules for considering cases of individual hardship.

Photo of Sir Raymond Gower Sir Raymond Gower , Barry

Would my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of exempting former prisoners of war who, by reason of being 10 years older now, might suffer great harm from sudden periods of intensive training?

Photo of Mr Anthony Head Mr Anthony Head , Carshalton

There is a Question on the Order Paper on that subject, so perhaps my hon. Friend will await my reply.