§ 16. Major Tufton Beamishasked the Minister of Labour how many men and women by age groups, who were previously employed in industry, have been conscripted to each of the three Services, respectively, apart from the normal call-up of youths of 18 years, during each month of 1945 up to September; and how many, by age groups, it is intended to call up in the last three months of this year.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe detailed information desired by the hon. Member is not available. It is, however, estimated that, apart from youths of 18, and students, there were called up from industry under the National Service Acts during the first nine months of 1945 about 42,000 men. For the last three months of the year it is estimated that the corresponding figure 906 will be about 32,000. No women have been called up under the National Service Acts during 1945.
§ Major BeamishWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether due distinction is being made between skilled and unskilled men and women, and will he assure the House that the minimum number of skilled people are being called up from industry so far as possible, while the maximum number of unskilled people are being called up, with a view to speeding up demobilisation as fast as possible?
§ Mr. IsaacsAll relevant circumstances are taken into consideration, but as one of the so-called unskilled workers I do not think that all the burden of the country should be borne by the so-called unskilled labourer.