§ 39. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a holder of an honours diploma of Loughborough College, which took five years' full-time study to obtain, who has spent 1½ years as a graduate apprentice with the General Electric Company and who has worked as an electronics development engineer on research, has been called up for military service in September, although holders of a university degree are exempt; and if he will take steps to alter the regulations so that all properly qualified electronics engineers are exempted from military service in view of the important work they are doing.
§ Sir W. MoncktonI have written to my hon. Friend about this case. It is not the case that persons holding a university degree in electronic engineering or any other subject are exempt from National Service. Indefinite deferment is granted to some science and engineering graduates for urgent work of high priority, but only on condition that the post cannot be filled by a man not liable for National Service.
§ Mr. OsborneWill my right hon. and learned Friend consider giving the same prolonged deferment to men holding recognised diplomas from technical colleges as he gives to men holding university diplomas?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI could not open the door as wide as that without very considerable thought and inquiry, but I would point out to my hon. Friend that the number of deferments granted to science and engineering graduates has been rising very rapidly of late. I should not like to be led into a further concession without thought.
Mr. LeeCan the Minister say whether, in the event of any of these people engaging in an industrial dispute, their deferments will be cancelled at once?