§ 9. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Labour why Mr. D. F. T. Abell who is now engaged on the second year course of training as a dental student and due to take his 2nd B.D.S. examination in June, is not being allowed continued deferment of military service so that he may complete his course; and if he will review this decision as being contrary to the announced policy of allowing students to complete professional training before doing their National Service.
§ Mr. IsaacsIn view of the revised arrangements contemplated, I have now reconsidered this case and am prepared to grant Mr. Abell deferment to pursue his studies.
§ 12. Squadron-Leader Flemingasked the Minister of Labour whether men called up for service in the Armed Forces in, or before, August, 1947, will be released in time to commence their studies in the beginning of October, 1949.
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, Sir. In accordance with the programme of releases from the Forces which I announced on 18th January last in reply to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd), men called up before August, 1947, will ordinarily be released before the end of September, 1949. Men called up in August, 1947, will ordinarily be released not later than the end of October, 1949, but the actual dates of release will in many cases be earlier. Any intending students called up in August, 1947, who find that they are not due for normal release in time to start their studies next autumn will be allowed early release, if applied for by their university or college.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingDoes that mean that anyone who wants to start his studies at the Manchester School of Technology in the first week of October, although called up in August, 1947, will be released towards the end of September so that he can present himself there in October?
§ Mr. IsaacsThis generally applies to colleges, but our arrangements are not 174 definitely complete yet and we are endeavouring to obtain exactly the same results.