§ Mr. O'GRADYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the military authorities opposing an application for exemption under the Military Service Act, 1916, of a Lichfield chemist; and whether, in view of the fact that the chemist in question is engaged in dispensing under the National Insurance Act and therefore 1551W employed in exempted occupation, instructions will be issued to the military authorities not to oppose such claims for exemption when submitted to the tribunals?
§ Mr. TENNANTMy attention has not been called to this case. The mere fact of a chemist being engaged in dispensing under the National Insurance Act, and belonging in a general sense to a certified occupation, does not make it wrong for a military representative to oppose an application for a certificate of exemption. If it can be shown either that the man in question is not actually engaged in a certified occupation, or that although he is so engaged it is not necessary in the national interest that he should continue in civil employment, the tribunal can refuse to grant a certificate of exemption.