§ 12. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Labour whether he is a ware that Isabel Mary Margaret Donovan, Hillside, Kid-more End, Reading, a hairdresser's assistant, who was substituted for the working 433 owner since he volunteered for the Royal Air Force has been served with a Notice of Direction, having been given only three weeks' deferment; whether compulsion is being resorted to in this case; whether he is aware that this girl has been threatened by his local officers with imprisonment for three months if she refuses to submit to his directions; and whether he will look into this case with a view to coming to some different arrangement?
§ Mr. TomlinsonMiss Donovan was first interviewed under the Registration for Employment Order on 19th June, and on 31st October she was given a direction under Defence Regulation 58A to work at an ordnance factory. She has appealed against this direction to the local appeal board and the appeal is pending. The printed form of Direction sets out the penalties for non-compliance but I have no reason to suppose that the Department's officers used threats such as are suggested.
§ Mr. DaviesWill my hon. Friend be good enough to instruct Employment Exchange officers to make it clear to the women what are their rights for deferment under the Regulations, and will he tell the officers that they must not use any threats or penalties?
§ Mr. TomlinsonWhen the large number of interviews are taken into account, I think it is unfair to cast any reflection with regard to the majority of cases which have been dealt with, especially in view of the comparatively small number of complaints that have been received.
§ Captain StricklandIs my hon. Friend aware that in some cases his National Service officers are claiming that the Ministry have delegated to them complete arbitrary powers to order these girls to go to any part of the country to serve, and is he aware that it is not generally known these girls have any rights of appeal to arbitration courts?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI should want particulars of cases in which such assertions have been made before I should be prepared to admit that such powers were being taken by the officers. If such cases are brought to the notice of the Ministry, they will be inquired into.
Mr. MacleanWill the Minister consider a case of this kind which took place in 434 Glasgow a fortnight ago if I submit it to him immediately after Questions?
§ Mr. TomlinsonYes, but I should require the names, position and other information to be submitted with the case.