1. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Labour, whether, in connection with small retail establishments in which the proprietor is called up for service with the Forces and the business and management are taken over by his wife, the wife may be immune from being conscripted, even though she may be within the age limit for the calling-up of women?
§ Mr. BevinMarried women are not liable to be called up for Service in the Armed Forces. With regard to transfer to civilian employment, the wives of men serving in the Forces are not required to take employment away from home. If required to take local employment, they can appeal to a local appeal board, which would, no doubt, give sympathetic consideration to circumstances of the kind referred to in the Question.
Mr. De la BèreWould the right hon. Gentleman take steps to inform local appeal boards that it is the wish of the Ministry of Labour that so far as possible they should view this matter sympathetically?