§ 70. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Robert H. Westwell, 110, Scot Lane, Aspull, Wigan, has been ordered to perform Civil Defence duties and that his appeal against that has been dismissed; that he is employed at an engineering works for 6o hours per week, three miles away from his residence; that he must ordinarily leave home for his employment at 6 a.m., returning again about 7.30 p.m.; that his wife works full time at the same factory; and whether he can release this man from Civil Defence duties?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThis man was directed to part-time service in the National Fire Service. His appeal was disallowed but he has not yet been called upon to do duty. I am informed that the station to which he was directed is near his home. In accordance with the usual practice full account will be taken of his personal circumstances in determining the amount of 1787 duty required of him; but I could not agree that he should be entirely relieved of the obligation to perform any part-time service.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think he is almost asking the impossible of this man? How can he be expected to do his work efficiently in an engineering ship for 6o hours if he is also called upon to do Civil Defence duties? Really the situation is physically impossible.
§ Mr. MorrisonThe basis of part-time service is now pretty well universal. We have to have part-timers, especially in releasing full-timers, and I am advised that there are many cases of this kind where the work is being cheerfully done.