§ 20. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Labour whether he will reconsider his decision not to grant deferment of National Service to the young man who was the subject of a letter from the Parliamentary Secretary on 8th November to the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodNo, Sir. I am afraid I cannot justifiably alter the decision.
§ Mr. HaymanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he told me last week that about 100,000 men were called up for National Service each year, and that 381 the Defence White Paper says that a total of 375,000 in the Armed Forces will he sufficient in four years' time? In that case, does not he agree that a man who is working seriously and who has great hopes of getting his Higher National Certificate ought to be granted ordinary deferment to enable him to gain that certificate?
§ Mr. MacleodAs the hon. Member knows, the man was granted deferment for the period of his apprenticeship and for a period to try to qualify for his Higher National Certificate. It is because he failed that examination that that part of his deferment cannot be continued. It would be more satisfactory if the hon Member would come and talk to me privately about the case.