HC Deb 01 May 1918 vol 105 c1533
54. Major HUNT

asked the Minister of National Service whether a man who had served for nineteen weeks with the Colours and was discharged on 6th October, 1917, as unfit for war service, and is now an insurance clerk, has to find work of national importance; and, if so, within what time from the 6th October, 1917, has he to find this class of work?

Mr. BECK

Employment as an insurance clerk is not considered to be work of national importance. A disabled man who is not already on work of national importance is bound to use his best endeavours to obtain such work if he wishes to avail himself of the provisions of the Act. Full particulars of the time within which he should obtain such work and the procedure to be followed are set out in National Service Instruction 29 of 1918, which has been published and widely circulated.

Major HUNT

Cannot the hon. Gentleman give the House some further information? How long is a man given after he has been discharged?

Mr. BECK

Oh, he is officially given a month, but in practice, in genuine cases, we use the greatest elasticity in extending that period.