§ 5. Mr. G. Straussasked the Minister of Labour whether His Majesty's Government are contemplating taking the necessary steps to conscript refugees in this country from Germany, Austria, Czecho-Slovakia, and Poland, who are not considered to be enemy aliens, for non-combatant duties at the appropriate rates of pay?
§ Mr. E. BrownNo such proposal is at present under consideration.
§ Mr. StraussWill the Minister bear in mind the unfortunate feeling that may be aroused if English nationals are conscripted and refugees from Germany and Czecho-Slovakia doing similar work are not conscripted?
§ Mr. BrownThat is not my responsibility. The National Service (Armed Forces) Act applies to British subjects.
Miss RathboneIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the great majority of these refugees are only too anxious to take any work and that the chief obstacle is the slow working and complicatedness of the Ministry of Labour and Home Office regulations?