§ 21. Mr. ANDERSONasked the President of the Local Government Board 2376 whether claims have been put forward for the exemption from military service of certain employés at the Imperial Paper Mills, Limited, Bycliffes, Gravesend, and the Amalgamated Press, Northfleet, Graves-end, both businesses being Harmsworth concerns; whether the manager of the Imperial Paper Mills, Limited, is a member of the local advisory committee; whether he is aware that invitations were sent to members of the local tribunal in Gravesend and the advisory committee to meet some of the directors and to be shown over the works, and that members accepted this invitation and had motor cars provided for them, and were hospitably entertained in the board room on Tuesday, 23rd May; whether this was preparatory to considering the claims for exemption; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)My right hon. Friend has received a letter from the Imperial Paper Mills, Limited, which does not bear out the suggestion of the hon. Member. It is true that representatives of the local tribunal who had inquired as to the possibility of substituting female labour for male labour recently visited the mills to see things for themselves. No motor cars were provided and no directors were present, and the entertainment consisted of some tea and bread and butter. I am informed that the mills employ approximately 800 men and boys and that there are now only eight single men eligible for the Army, 234 employés having already jointed the Forces. There is, of course, an appeal from the decision of the local tribunal to the Appeal Tribunal, and this appeal may be made by the military representative in any case in which he considers this course right.
§ 72. Mr. HOGGEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received the names of men in attendance at the United Free Church colleges at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen with a request for their exemption; and whether he proposes to accede to the request?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)Requests for exemption or other special treatment have been received from a large number of students of various denominations, and the Army Council are preparing new instructions which will shortly be made public. 2377 I should be glad if my hon. Friend would possess his soul in patience for a few days.