HC Deb 23 May 1946 vol 423 cc533-4
64. Viscount Hinchingbrooke

asked the Minister of Labor what industrial qualifications are demanded of men between 19 and 30 years of age who were in reserved occupations during the war and are now continuing to claim exemption from military service.

Mr. Isaacs

Apart from some special cases, for example, coal mining and agriculture, from which, in general, no men are called up, deferment is granted by district man power boards on the ground of the importance to the national effort of the work on which individual workers are engaged.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the terms and conditions for continued engagement in industry are so widely drawn that he has altogether failed to call up for military service between 70 per cent. and 90 per cent, of the young men previously in reserved occupations during the war?

Mr. Isaacs

If the Noble Lord will be kind enough to let us know where we can find them we will comb them out straight away