51. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a large number of men who are serving and who are proprietors of one-man businesses have found it, since the signing of the Armistice, very difficult to retain the support of their customers; and whether, in consequence of the hardship that attaches to such men, he will agree to their being released from military service provided 842 that they are able to obtain a certificate from the clerk to the local tribunal and another from the local advisory committee indicating that, in their opinion, such men should be immediately released in order to carry on their businesses, in view of the fact that many of these concerns will otherwise have to be closed in consequence of the increasing competition of larger firms?
Captain GUEST (Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)It is regretted that the Regulations at present in force governing eligibility for demobilisation cannot be altered. There may be instances of hard cases, but it is not desirable to make individual distinctions. Men who are eligible under current instructions are being demobilised as rapidly as circumstances permit. As I stated, however, on Tuesday last, I hope as time advances it may be possible to make more liberal the construction placed upon compassionate cases.
Sir F. HALLIs the Government not prepared to leave a matter of this importance in the hands of the tribunals and local committees—cannot you rely upon them?
Captain GUESTThe whole question of these one-man businesses has been extremely carefully gone into, and it was found impossible, in view of all the circumstances, to extend the exemptions to one-man businesses.
§ Mr. FRANCEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to include in the compassionate cases some of those one-man business troubles?
Captain GUESTThe latter part of my answer indicates the hope that we shall be able to do so—at a later date possibly.