§ 5. Mr. A. R. W. Lowasked the Minister of Labour on what list of reserved occupations ex-Service men of the Class Z reserve would be exempted from recall in the event of an emergency; and whether a register of men so exempt is now held by him or in Service Departments.
§ Mr. IsaacsIt would not be in the public interest to supply the information asked for.
§ Mr. LowWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is an up-to-date list of reserved occupations, and will he also assure the House that something is being done along the lines suggested in the Question?
§ Mr. IsaacsI could not say more than the answer I have given. I can assure the hon. Member that the Ministry does keep an up-to-date list of reserved occupations.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs it not a fact that none of the men concerned know whether or not they are liable to be recalled in an emergency?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, and it is also a fact that if some of the men not concerned knew, it might well happen that they would find themselves very advantageously placed.
§ Earl WintertonSurely the right hon. Gentleman has got to give some other reason in view of the fact that such information was available in the even more: 675 critical international situation before the last two wars? What is the reason for this extraordinary secrecy? Is it that the Government have no plan of any sort?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir. It is because the Government have a - plan and will announce it in due course and they do not want their actions in the matter to be prematurely disclosed.
§ Squadron-Leader Flemingis it not made clear on the man's document, if he is on the Class Z reserve, whether or not he is liable to be recalled?
§ Mr. IsaacsThat may be so. I could not say without looking at the document.