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Unions want National Service period reduced – archive Unions want National Service period reduced – archive
(about 7 hours later)
Bridlington, Friday. The conference of the Union of Post Office Engineers at Bridlington to-day passed a resolution asking the executive to try to secure, through the T.U.C., a reduction in the period of National Service to eighteen months. The resolution referred to the psychological changes in a youth’s outlook by a long absence from his work, and the difficulty in resuming technical studies after such an absence.Bridlington, Friday. The conference of the Union of Post Office Engineers at Bridlington to-day passed a resolution asking the executive to try to secure, through the T.U.C., a reduction in the period of National Service to eighteen months. The resolution referred to the psychological changes in a youth’s outlook by a long absence from his work, and the difficulty in resuming technical studies after such an absence.
Mr J. W. Fleming (Birmingham) said that to withdraw a considerable number of men from the industrial field reduced the country’s production. “I asked one of our members recently returned after two years’ National Service to give me a summary of the things he did.” Mr Fleming produced five sheets of notepaper which the member had written for him, and from them he read:Mr J. W. Fleming (Birmingham) said that to withdraw a considerable number of men from the industrial field reduced the country’s production. “I asked one of our members recently returned after two years’ National Service to give me a summary of the things he did.” Mr Fleming produced five sheets of notepaper which the member had written for him, and from them he read:
“Before the A.O.C.’s inspection last year much time was spent in washing the hangar floors with 100 octane fuel. Hours and hours were spent painting most objects green. Occasionally airmen were asked to volunteer to go baby-sitting for N.C.O.s in married quarters in what should have been working hours.“Before the A.O.C.’s inspection last year much time was spent in washing the hangar floors with 100 octane fuel. Hours and hours were spent painting most objects green. Occasionally airmen were asked to volunteer to go baby-sitting for N.C.O.s in married quarters in what should have been working hours.
“Administration orderlies who worked in our hangar were employed sweeping and cleaning floors for two years. One was a lathe operator in civilian life. When the N.C.O.s were in a good humour hours were spent in the crew room just sitting down. Several airmen trained to be engine fitters who underwent a thirteen weeks’ course were employed refuelling aircraft for the rest of their service. The most outstanding thing I noticed in the R.A.F. was that far too many lads who had served an apprenticeship before entering the forces were wielding a broom for two years instead of a spanner.”“Administration orderlies who worked in our hangar were employed sweeping and cleaning floors for two years. One was a lathe operator in civilian life. When the N.C.O.s were in a good humour hours were spent in the crew room just sitting down. Several airmen trained to be engine fitters who underwent a thirteen weeks’ course were employed refuelling aircraft for the rest of their service. The most outstanding thing I noticed in the R.A.F. was that far too many lads who had served an apprenticeship before entering the forces were wielding a broom for two years instead of a spanner.”
Mr W. E. Jarvis (Birmigham) said that when a young man came back it was not easy for him to adjust himself to his work. Mr W. E. Jarvis (Birmingham) said that when a young man came back it was not easy for him to adjust himself to his work.
The end of National Service was announced in the Commons in February 1959.The end of National Service was announced in the Commons in February 1959.