HC Deb 07 August 1947 vol 441 cc1641-2
50. Mr. Anthony Greenwood

asked the Minister of Labour for how long Harry Joseph Stevelman, aged 19 years, fined £80 at Highgate Police Court on 23rd July for street trading offences, served in the coal mines; when he was released and for what reason, and what other national service obligations this man has discharged

Mr. Isaacs

This young man, who was born in February, 1929, and is aged 18, not 19, failed to register for national service with his age group. The ordinary steps for tracing non-registrants have been in operation, but up to the time when he appeared in court on 23rd July all attempts to get in touch with him had failed. Suitable steps are being taken to ensure that he complies with his obligations under the National Service Acts. He has never been a coalminer, although he was employed from February to August, 1946, by a colliery company as a labourer. He was regarded as an unsatisfactory worker, and when he did not return from a holiday his name was removed from the books.

Mr. Greenwood

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, and for the action that has been taken, might I ask him if he would tell the House why it was not possible for action to have been taken earlier, in view of the fact that according to the newspapers this man has appeared in court several times during the past 12 months, during which he has been fined £1,000 for trading offences? Will my right hon. Friend emphasise that this country has no use for "spivs," from whatever class they come?

Mr. Isaacs

I will not express an opinion on the last part of that question. In regard to the first part, we were unaware that the particular individual who was charged under this name was the individual for whom we were looking. As soon as we made contact, and found out who he was, we followed it up. He was due to appear in court in an adjourned case yesterday, but he disappeared, so the police as well as ourselves are now looking for him.