§ 107. Mr HANSONasked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Service, whether he is aware of the impression that exists in the minds of employers that they are not permitted to retain on their staff or to engage the services of any man between the ages of eighteen and sixty-one who has volunteered for National Service; and whether, owing to the difficulty now experienced by many men in obtaining work on this ground, he will consider the desirability of taking such further steps as may be necessary to remove this impression?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of NATIONAL SERVICE (Mr. Stephen Walsh)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The Director-General has not been made aware that the misunderstanding referred to in the question exists in the 919 minds of employers. A volunteer who has enrolled for National Service should remain in his present employment until he is called upon to take up other work of greater national importance, and before he is transferred his employer has the right of appeal. A few cases have been reported to the Director-General -where an employer has discharged a man who has volunteered for National Service, and steps have been taken in each case to make it clear that employers taking such steps were acting contrary to the wishes and intentions of the Director-General. An official statement will be issued to remove the impression? described in the question.