§ 66. Mr. Yatesasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that John Baker, 54, Alston Street, Ladywood, Birming ham, was again sentenced to one month's imprisonment on 3rd December for re fusing to obey the National Service officer and work in the mines; and if he will take steps to prevent a recurrence of such sentences of imprisonment.
§ Mr. IsaacsI am calling for an early report on this case and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I have the facts before me. The penalties awarded, within the limits laid down, for failure to comply with directions given by a National Ser vice Officer are a matter for the courts.
§ Mr. YatesWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this young man, after being sentenced to one month's imprisonment, was later employed by a firm of building contractors until he was sentenced to a second term in prison, and in such cases will he consider some kind of alternative to these harsh sentences of imprisonment?
§ Mr. IsaacsI regret that I must ask the hon. Member to bear in mind what I said earlier, that if he had put all the facts on the Paper, I could have dealt with the Question.
§ 68. Wing-Commander Robinsonasked the Minister of Labour whether arrangements can be made for boys directed to the mines to receive leave at Christmas so as to visit their families.
§ Mr. IsaacsArrangements for holidays in the coalmining industry, as in industry generally, are a matter for joint agreement within the industry itself.
§ Wing-Commander RobinsonIs the Minister aware that these boys, whose labour is conscripted by the Government in peacetime, only get an opportunity of going home once a year, and will he consider the question of their receiving Christmas leave, and exercise his influence to help them?
§ Mr. LoganMay' I ask the Minister whether, in view of the sacrifices many of these young lads have made voluntarily for work which they do not want to do it is not necessary that they should have the power of returning home?
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenWill the Minister have a word with the trade union concerned to see what they have to say about it, and keep their point of view in mind?