HC Deb 22 August 1940 vol 364 c1520W
Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take in relation to the employer of a man registered for military service and the employer of a man registered as a conscientious objector, respectively, where such an employer seeks to dismiss the man in respect of his registration?

Mr. Assheton

Provision for the purpose of preventing the dismissal of a man from employment because of his liability to be called up for military service is made by Sub-section (4) of Section 14 of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act and the Regulations made thereunder. In cases where it appears that the statutory provisions may have been infringed my right hon. Friend would be prepared to take appropriate action in the courts. As previously stated, he has no authority to control the action of an employer who dismisses a man because of his conscientious objection to military service, but he strongly deprecates such action.