§ 17. Mr. A. Irvineasked the Minister of Labour in approximately what proportion of all applications to military service (hardship) committees for postponement of call-up, postponement was granted during 1952 or during the latest convenient period.
§ Sir W. MoncktonDuring 1952, nearly 49 per cent. Including applications granted without reference to a hardship committee, the percentage is 66.
§ Mr. IrvineWhile these figures support the view that the committees by and large take a reasonable and fair view of the claims laid before them, does the Minister consider that the committees sufficiently recognise the difficulties that many men face in arranging for businesses to be carried on in their absence, and the difficulty often experienced of bringing forward evidence in that connection?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI do recognise those difficulties, and I have had to see a great many of these cases myself. I am satisfied that the committees do sympathetically regard those problems, but they are dealing with postponement and not exemption; that is their trouble.
Miss WardCan the Minister say, arising from those figures, how many one-man businesses in respect of which there is no possibility of finding someone to carry them on have been closed down?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI should require notice of that question.