HC Deb 08 May 1940 vol 360 c1232
61. Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why preference is to be given to unmarried men under 40 years of age in applications for the position of assistant potato inspectors?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The statement that preference would be given to unmarried men under 40, which I understand was based on the pre-war practice of the Potato Marketing Board, was made in error. There is no intention to limit the field of recruitment in this way, and instructions have now been issued to make this clear.