HC Deb 01 November 1945 vol 415 cc618-9
68. Captain Gammans

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consult organisations representing individual traders before drawing up the conditions under which the owners of one-man businesses may apply for release from the Forces.

Mr. Isaacs

Applications for the release of owners of one-man businesses are usually based on considerations of a personal nature and are therefore dealt with by the Service Departments under the arrangements for compassionate release. There is no question of my laying down the conditions on which release on compassionate grounds shall be granted.

Captain Gammans

Did not the right hon. Gentleman promise to draw up some general guide by which the Service De- partments might be influenced in this matter?

Mr. Isaacs

I do not think I quite promised that. I promised to look into the matter and see if it was possible to do anything. I am doing that, but I have not yet been able to reach a conclusion.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Is the Minister aware that in some cases the men making these applications have been informed that they must have the backing of their local M.P.; and is not this entirely outside his intention?

Mr. Isaacs

I am not aware of that.

Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite

May I send the right hon. Gentleman the information?.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Can the Minister say what considerations the commanding officer would have in mind when asked to deal with applications for release on these lines?.

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