§ 9. Mr. Levyasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men whose conditions of work have compelled them to go to register for military service before noon have been refused registration, although the Exchange was open, on the ground that they were before time; and will he give instructions to stop this practice?
§ Mr. E. BrownNo, Sir. Arrangements are made for men who for good reason cannot attend in the afternoon to register in the morning between the hours of 9 and 11. My hon. Friend will appreciate that these registrations must be conducted in an orderly fashion, if the risk of dislocation and consequent inconvenience to large numbers of men are to be avoided.
§ Mr. ThorneDoes that apply to men who have to go early in the morning for medical examination and register in the afternoon?
§ Mr. BrownNo, Sir. This is connected with registration and not medical examination, and the arrangement is that there is a set time-table, according to the initial of a man's surname, but if good reason can be shown that a man will be under some disability through going in the afternoon, he can go in the morning. That cannot, however, be a general rule.
§ Mr. ThorneBut the Minister must know that where a man has to register in the morning he will lose a day's pay?
§ Mr. BrownThe hon. Member misunderstands. The normal thing is to register in the afternoon, and the abnormal arrangement is made in cases where good reason can be shown that a man cannot attend in the afternoon.
§ Mr. MathersCan the Minister take power to compel employers to be reasonable in regard to this registration?
§ Mr. BrownI have no knowledge that any powers are required. Any examination of the registration of 1,700,000 men 344 who have already registered will show that it has gone in a wonderfully smooth way.