§ 58. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Minister of National Service whether time-expired men above the age of forty-one who are at present engaged in work of national importance may, conditional on their remaining in such work, be relieved from liability for further military service under the Military Service (No. 2) Act, 1918, until all eligible civilians in similar occupations who have never served at all have been called up?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI regret that it is not possible, in present circumstances, to give any such undertaking as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIs it fair that an old soldier of forty-seven, engaged in work of national importance, should be called up when a young fellow of twenty-seven or twenty-eight, who is also engaged in work of national importance, and who has never served, is left with his employer?
§ Sir A. GEDDESIf such a happening as the hon. and gallant Gentleman pictures really took place it would be most extraordinary, but, as he is aware, all our administrative protections are removed from the lowest ages upwards by occupations by age blocks. There is no one definition of work of national importance. There are occupations which are of vital importance, occupations which are of importance, and occupations which are of slight importance. It is important to leave men in vital industries.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIf I bring instances to the right hon. Gentleman's notice on the lines of the question, will they be put right?
§ Sir A. GEDDESMost certainly.
§ Mr. HOGGEHow is it that time-expired men always happen to be in work of the least national importance?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThere is no evidence of which I am aware that will support the hon. Member's statement.