39. Major Lloydasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider amending the Civil Defence (Exemption Tribunals) Order, under which military service (hardships) committees consider applications for exemption from fire prevention duties, in order to ensure that sympathetic consideration will be given in the case of housewives actively engaged in the Women's Voluntary Service and similar activities where fire watching will seriously handicap the services voluntarily rendered by such women?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)I understand that it is the practice of the tribunals to give most careful consideration to all relevant factors in reaching decisions on applications for exemption on grounds of 25 exceptional hardship. My right hon. Friend is however proposing to include in the forthcoming amending Order special provisions to facilitate the decision of applications submitted by women with heavy household responsibilities.