National Registration Act 1939
National Registration Act 1939
THE ENLISTMENT OF MARRIED MEN
LORD DEVONPORT
My Lords, I rise to ask His Majesty's Government whether they will grant a Return stating the number of married men enrolled in His Majesty's Army since the outbreak of war in August last, and the amount of the separation allowances paid to wives and other dependants of these men. Perhaps I may remind your Lordships that when the National Registration Bill was before the House on Second Reading reference was made by the noble Marquess who was in charge of that Bill to the large number of married men enlisted, and I took the opportunity during the debate of saying a few words in relation to the costliness of this system, or lack of system, and I suggested that it would be of value if the noble Marquess could see his way to grant a Return such as I now ask for so that we might have the figures in front of us. The noble Marquess was unable to give any definite pledge, but he was sympathetic and promised that he would inquire as to whether such a Return could be granted; and I gleaned from his observations that anything that he could possibly do would be done to ensure such a Return being presented.