§ 75. Sir A. YEOasked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that Albert Seaton, of 257, High Street, Camden Town, London, N.W., the proprietor of a one-man butcher's business, having about 3,000 registered customers, whose age is thirty-six years and nine months, who is graded 2, and whose occupation, age, and grading bring him within the reservations of the Revised List of Certified Occupations, has been summoned to appear at the Bow Street Police Court as an absentee, in spite of the fact that the County of London Tribunal has recently passed a resolution that the operation of the Revised List of Certified Occupations could be regarded as a sufficient reason within the meaning of the Regulations for the rehearing of a case even if the man became liable for Army service before the list came into force, and despite the fact that the Ministry of Food is pressing for the exemption of Mr. Seaton, the rehearing of his case before the tribunal has been refused by an official of the Ministry of National Service; and whether, seeing that the executive officer of the St. Pancras Food Control Committee made a statutory declaration on the 25th October last declaring that if Albert Seaton should be called up for military service serious public inconvenience would be caused, steps will at once be taken to withdraw the proceedings referred to?
§ Mr. BECKGeneral instructions were issued on the 11th instant cancelling all police notices concerning absentees, and discontinuing all proceedings against absentees and for recruiting offences.