HC Deb 10 May 1960 vol 623 cc179-80
11. Mr. Swingler

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the letter sent to him on 26th April by Newcast Foundries Ltd., Silver-dale, Newcastle-under-Lyme, concerning factors jeopardising their production programme; and what reply he sent.

Mr. J. Rodgers

The writer of the letter has been informed that the release of soldiers is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

Mr. Swingler

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, if he read the letter carefully, he would realise that this is the general problem of the call-up of apprentices on the completion of their apprenticeship? As he represents the Department concerned with promoting the export trade and maintaining the level of industrial production, would he have a word with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour in order to make strong repre- sentations to him that where the call-up of an apprentice on the completion of his apprenticeship will interfere with important production the Minister of Labour should do something to stop it?

Mr. Rodgers

The National Service of these two men was deferred. The deferment came to an end and they joined the Army on 16th April, 1959, and 7th January, 1960, respectively. The general arguments in the letter do not convince my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that there is any need to intervene with the Secretary of State or the Minister of Labour.