3. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Labour whether he will confer with the Minister of Food with a view to seeing how to save the small one-man food shops that are performing useful work in supplying large numbers of munition workers and other customers from being compelled to close down by reason of the call-up and the inability to find a substitute?
§ Mr. BevinI am in constant touch with my Noble Friend the Minister of Food on the question of withdrawal of men and women from food shops. Where such withdrawal might result in the closing down of a one-man business, the person concerned may apply for postponement of call-up on grounds of exceptional hardship.
Mr. De la BèreCan my right hon. Friend tell me whether their applications are really given sympathetic consideration, because there are a number of cases which I shall be pleased to let him have, where no notice has been taken of their difficulties?
§ 8. Mr. Hannahasked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to give any relief to a man who, in sole charge of a business and called up for the Army, loses his trade to one who, as a conscientious objector, can continue his work?
§ Mr. BevinI would remind my hon. Friend that application for the postponement of liability to be called up may be made on account of business responsibilities and interests if the circumstances are such that the business cannot be carried on in the applicant's absence unless and until alternative arrangements have been made, and the necessary arrangements either for carrying on the business or for its disposal cannot immediately be made. The question of reinstatement at the end of the war is part of a much wider problem which is engaging the attention of the Government.