33. Air Commodore Harveyasked the Minister of Labour if he will exempt apprentices engaged in the aircraft industry from National Service.
§ Sir W. MoncktonNo, Sir but the possibility of allowing some measure of deferment in special cases is under examination.
Air Commodore HarveyHow is the aircraft industry to produce what is expected of it if the men who are the most valuable are to be called up at the end of their training?
§ Sir W. MoncktonMy anxiety is to meet that difficulty as far as I can without impinging upon the desirability of keeping the universality of the call-up.
§ Mr. M. LindsayWhile appreciating the importance of keeping the universality of the call-up, may I ask whether it is not much more important in present circumstances to get the highest possible aircraft production for defence purposes?
§ Sir W. MoncktonIt is for that reason that we propose to look into this matter in special cases. The reason why we want to do so on a limited scale is to avoid encouraging similar claims for other types of employment.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeIs the Minister aware that apprentices in the aircraft industry are in no way different from apprentices in other sections of engineering, and will he keep this in mind?
§ Sir W. MoncktonIt is only when they make a special difference that they are considered in the way I have indicated. I am well aware that apprentices in other branches of industry might also claim similar exemptions.