HC Deb 18 April 1940 vol 359 c1098
23. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will reconsider the incidence of hardship affecting men in higher age groups with a view to enabling longer periods of exemption being granted in cases where it could be proved that small businesses would be closed down if the owner were called up for military service or where exceptional hardship would be imposed on the family of the man liable to military service?

Mr. E. Brown

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 11th April as regards postponement granted on the ground of business responsibilities and interests. There is no overriding maximum period in cases based on domestic circumstances.

Mr. Sorensen

Would it not be possible for an applicant after finishing his period of postponement to make an appeal on the ground of hardship?

Mr. Brown

That, of course, would depend upon the length of the postponement which had been allowed.