36. Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of National Service if he is aware that Mr. J. A. H. Gray, who is forty-eight years of age, is employed as a clerk in the office of a Government firm and, having recently been graded Class 3, inquired at the Hotel Windsor as to whether the work he was engaged upon was considered of national importance, to which a reply was made that the Ministry were unable to state whether his employment came within that meaning or not; whether, under the circumstances, he will give instructions for officers to be placed in charge of the various Departments who can give a clear and concise reply to applicants, thereby saving unnecessary trouble; and whether he will state if it is needful for such a man as the one referred to to give up such employment in order to work on the land, or whether his present occupation, age, and 478 grading will be accepted as sufficient reason for him being allowed to remain where he is?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI regret that Mr. Gray should have failed to get information satisfactory to himself from the official whom he saw. He was one of 1,200 individuals who was interviewed by the official in question in the course of the week, and his is the only complaint received. As Mr. Gray is aged forty-eight and is in Grade 3, he is not, as has been stated in this House, and published in the Press, of a type that is being called for service at present.
Sir F. HALLWill the right hon. Gentleman give notification to the officials of the National Service to extend courtesy to people who make applications?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI do not think there has been any complaint received, apart from the official in this instance, who is most courteous. Possibly there was some difficulty with this gentleman when he was called.