§ 8. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of workers skilled in the making of spectacle lenses, he will consider granting deferment of call-up for National Service to skilled workers who remain in the industry.
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir. It is the Government's policy not to grant deferment of call-up on industrial grounds except in the basic industries of coalmining and agriculture.
§ Mr. CollinsIs my right hon. Friend aware that most of the young men in National Service are grossly underemployed through no fault of their own, and does he not think, therefore, that there is a case for enlarging the trades to which exemption should be applied, particularly when their products are so badly needed?
§ Mr. IsaacsI cannot accept the implication in the first part of that supplementary question, but young men of 17½ years of age cannot be accepted as skilled workers in this industry.
§ Mr. Peter ThorneycroftWould it be a reactionary point of view to suggest that if there is an issue between makers of spectacles and the interests of national security, the latter should come first?
§ Mr. CollinsIs my right hon. Friend unaware that these young men will have had at least three years' training and are, therefore, considered as skilled workers?
§ Mr. IsaacsI cannot accept that, if they have left school at 15 years of age, and at 17½ are eligible for call-up, they commence training as soon as they leave school.