39. Mr. Leeasked the Minister of Labour the provisions of his regulations with regard to the call-up of trade apprentices whose call-up has been deferred and who cease work in an industrial dispute.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe deferment of craft and trade apprentices who are following a period of training generally recognised by agreement or custom is subject to the apprentices making satisfactory progress. No cases have arisen where deferment has been withdrawn because an apprentice has been dismissed, or an adverse report received on his progress, as a result of a trade dispute. Apprentices are, of course, eventually required to do their National Service.
Mr. LeeIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that we are conversant with the fact that they will ultimately be required to do it, but the point which now arises is that if engineering employers follow the same technique as that followed by the Merchant Navy pool, such boys will be deemed to have permanently left the industry? In those circumstances, may we take it that they will be called to the Colours?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI do not accept the assumption that they would be taken to have left the industry. I must wait until an instance arises before I try to determine it.