HC Deb 27 April 1944 vol 399 c903
2. Major Lyons

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women, respectively, deferred from military or other national service on account of work for E.N.S.A. and in receipt of salaries from N.A.A.F.I. or E.N.S.A. funds; the numbers so salaried who are allowed to be otherwise gainfully employed in addition; and the numbers deferred in full-time E.N.S.A. employment.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)

Five hundred and twenty-three men of military age and 677 women, born between 1918 and 1924 inclusive, are deferred or retained for salaried work with E.N.S.A. Two of the men concerned are, for special reasons, allowed to be otherwise gainfully employed in addition: all the remaining men and women deferred or retained are engaged in full-time work for E.N.S.A. In addition to the above, there is a number, not easily ascertainable, of men and women in the older age groups retained as artistes and for clerical and administrative work with E.N.S.A.

Major Lyons

Am I to gather that the number in the last category to which my right hon. Friend refers, is not easily ascertainable?

Mr. Bevin

Yes, that is what I said.