HC Deb 03 July 1956 vol 555 c1131
11. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Labour why he continues to call up shepherds for National Service.

Mr. Iain Macleod

A shepherd is called up only if his employer makes no application for his deferment or if the Agricultural Advisory Panel and the National Service Deferment Board, in considering such an application, decide that no case has been made out.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that of these 800 agricultural workers called up, some are important key workers, and that shepherds are becoming important key workers in many of the lonely places in Scotland? Is he aware that he sent me a reply saying that a shepherd would be deferred until after the lambing season, not thinking that there might be another lambing season after that?

Mr. Macleod

Perhaps the shepherd in that case could be deferred again. But, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman knows, shepherds, who are, of course, key workers because they are in charge of stock, have always been eligible, and still are, for consideration for deferment.