HC Deb 02 May 1918 vol 105 c1681
22. Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Minister of National Service if he will give special consideration to the case of T. Duckworth, the national insurance clerk to the Blackburn Weavers' and Protection Society, who has been called up for military service, seeing that this man is the only official acquainted with and competent to discharge the insurance work of this society with a large membership, as all efforts to secure a substitute for him have failed?

Mr. BECK

The case of Mr. T. Duckworth was considered by the Central Tribunal, who decided to refuse exemption. The whole of the circumstances were before the Central Tribunal, who are understood to have taken into account the fact that the National Health Insurance Commissioners were not prepared to state that it was in the national interest that Duckworth should be retained in civil employment. Special consideration has been given to this case, but in view of the circumstances which I have detailed, it is not proposed to interfere with the decision of the Central Tribunal.