HC Deb 24 April 1941 vol 371 c232
6. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Labour whether clerks employed by trade union approved societies, whether those societies are approved as a whole or are separate sections, are reserved occupations like trade union clerks?

Mr. Bevin

The ages of reservation for clerks of approved societies and for whole-time clerks of trade unions are shown in the Schedule. The question of the occupation, if any, in which a particular man may be reserved depends in every case on the nature of the duties which he performs.

Mr. Davies

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the duties of an approved society clerk are quite as important as those of a trade union clerk? Approved society clerks, however, do not seem to be reserved at all.

Mr. Bevin

With reference to the comparative importance of the two, I think that my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Both are treated alike. It depends on the work they are doing, and not merely upon the fact that they are clerks.