HC Deb 26 November 1942 vol 385 cc839-40
10. Captain C. S. Taylor

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to say how many men under 30 years of age are employed in all branches of his Department?

Mr. Bevin

On 20th October the number of men between 18 and 30 years of age employed in my Department was 825. Of these, 188 (some of them only recently registered) are awaiting call up; 203 have served in H.M. Forces in the present war and have been discharged; and 303 are either not legally liable to be called up or are in medical categories III and IV from which men are not being called up. Of the balance of 131, 122 are Factory Inspectors or others with technical or specialised qualifications, mainly instructors at the Training Centres. Of the remaining 9, two are postponed on compassionate grounds leaving 7 in low categories not fit for combatant service to whom deferment has been granted on the recommendation of the Kennet Committee.

Captain Taylor

While thanking the Minister for his very satisfactory figures, may I ask whether the men discharged from the Services were discharged for, health reasons?

Mr. Bevin

Yes, Sir, they were all discharged for health reasons.