HC Deb 27 February 1940 vol 357 cc1910-1W
Sir W. Wayland

asked the Minister of Labour what assurance there is that men who appear before hardship committees for postponement of military service are given a fair hearing in accordance with the National Service (Armed Forces) (Postponement Certificates) Regulations, 1939, in view of the exclusion of the Press and public from the proceedings of these committees and the denial of legal representation?

Mr. E. Brown

The personnel and procedure of the hardship committees are the same as for Courts of Referees under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, and I am satisfied that applicants will obtain the same fair hearing before the hardship committees as they have obtained for so many years before the Courts of Referees.