§ 69. Mr. THEODORE TAYLORasked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that, contrary to his instructions, men of the new military ages engaged in certified occupations in the woollen industry and complying with the conditions of List R 136 have been called-up for medical examination and consequently have had to apply to a local tribunal for exemption; whether, when temporary exemption has been granted, the obligation to join a Volunteer Training Corps has been imposed; and whether he will direct that men inadvertently called-up in this way should not be subject to military service or service with a Volunteer Training Corps so long as the current instructions remain in force?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI am aware that a certain number of men of the new military age, within the limits of the Certified Occupations List, have been called up for medical examination. This is due to the fact that many men failed correctly to register their occupation under the National Registration Acts. As a result it was not known that they were in fact within the list. I have no power to relieve a man of the obligation to volunteer service, which was imposed by Parliament. It is, however, open to men upon whom the obligation rests to apply to the tribunal for a variation of their certificate. With regard to cases of the type referred to by my hon. Friend, I shall be pleased to give general instructions to National Service representatives not to oppose the application for variation.