§ Mr. GLYN-JONES (by Private Notice)asked the President of the Local Government Board whether under former instructions the only function of the local tribunals in the case of men in reserved occupations who voluntarily attested would be to satisfy themselves that the person was in fact engaged in a "reserved" occupation and to report on this question of fact to the Central Tribunal, and whether such instructions have been modified so as to give further power to local tribunals in such cases?
§ Mr. LONGUnder the original instructions cases of attested men in reserved occupations did not come before the local 1870 tribunal unless the recruiting officer raised a question whether any particular man was in fact usually and principally engaged in one of those occupations or whether, if so, it was still necessary in the national interest to retain him in civil employment. If either question was raised, the local tribunal could make a recommendation on the subject to the Central Tribunal, whose decision was final. Under the revised instructions the local tribunals have power themselves to determine any question of the kind, and to grant or refuse a certificate of exemption. There is a right of appeal against the decision of the local tribunal to the Appeal Tribunal.
§ Mr. GLYN-JONESDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it is fair to the voluntarily attested person to change the conditions?