§ 35. Mr. William Elwyn Jonesasked the Minister of Labour whether he is now ready to make a statement regarding the position of National Service men who were due to enter universities and training colleges in October, 1951, but who will now be unable to do so owing to the recent extension of the period of service.
§ Mr. IsaacsI would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 7th November to the hon. Member for Bridlington (Mr. Wood). The arrangements cover training colleges as well as universities.
§ 36. Wing Commander Hulbertasked the Minister of Labour how many National Service men have had their call-up deferred since 1st January, 1950; what is the length of their period of deferment; and what proportion of these deferments were for educational reasons.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe number of deferments granted between 1st January, 1950, and 31st October, 1950, is approximately as follows: Apprentices, articled pupils, etc., 61,000; university students, 8,500; other students, 5,500; all other deferments (coalmining, agricultural workers. etc.), 26,000.
1551 In the case of apprentices and university students, the period of deferment, subject to annual review, is until completion of training or studies, normally about three years. In the case of other students, deferment is for a short period only, usually to enable boys to stay on at school until the end of the school year in order to complete their studies or sit for an examination. In the case of industrial deferments, call-up is in general suspended so long as the man continues in that employment.