§ 68. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Labour how many applications for deferment from National Service he has received during the last two years from persons in the north-east of Scotland; how many of these were granted; and on what principles he acts in granting or refusing such applications.
§ Mr. HeathPrecise figures are not available but it is estimated that during 1958 and 1959, about 4,600 applications were received and about 4,400 of these were granted.
There are also certain limited categories such as teachers who can be granted deferment and agricultural workers and men serving in the Merchant Navy who are not called up, so long as they remain in their existing
136WCommonwealth, while remaining part of Her Majesty's dominions.
As stated in my previous Note, decisions of this kind are matters for the Government of British Honduras and Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. Her Majesty's Government have therefore nothing to add to the Note of the 15th of February.
I have the honour to be, etc.