§ 30. Mr. WATTasked the Minister of National Service whether young men of twenty-nine and thirty of military fitness are being exempted for the reason that they are in charge of drapery and fancy goods departments of warehouses; and, if so, is he aware that men of forty-seven to fifty years, married and in some cases with young families, can readily be got with knowledge of such trades, and, in any case, discharged soldiers who have done their share of the fighting could be got with such knowledge?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of NATIONAL SERVICE (Mr. Beck)Exemptions of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend, as far as they exist, have been granted by tribunals after inquiry into the circumstances of each case. Such exemptions constantly come under review, and in all such cases National Service representatives bring to the notice of tribunals relevant facts of the kind indicated by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. WATTIn the review to which the hon. Gentleman refers were the facts stated in this question, as to young men being retained and older men taken, considered?
§ Mr. BECKIf my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind I will be very glad to hear them, but, as he knows, this is one of these cases which are left to the tribunal, and I assume that decisions are taken in accordance with the facts brought to their notice.
§ Sir H. CRAIKOn the question of reference to the Ministry of National Service, are these cases reviewed by some body superior to the tribunal?