§ Mr. C. Wilsonasked the Minister of Labour how many complete exemptions by the tribunals have been granted in each of the last six months; and whether he is satisfied that the fact that fewer and fewer such exemptions are being given is not an indication that the tribunals have changed their policy and are thinking in terms of alternative service rather than of carrying out the provisions of the Act?
§ Mr. E. BevinThe numbers of men unconditionally registered by local tribunals during the last six months were as follow:
Period of four weeks. No. registered unconditionally as COs. Percentage of all cases heard. Per cent. 30.3.40–27. 4.40 221 8.42 27.4.40–25. 5.40 148 5.99 25.5.40–22. 6.40 90 3.00 22.6.40–20. 7.40 75 2.35 20.7.40–17. 8.40 111 3.54 17.8.40–14. 9.40 69 3.21 14.9.40–12.10.40 58 2.60 I know of no evidence supporting the suggestion made in the second part of the Question and would point out that the decisions of the tribunals are subject to appeal to the appellate tribunal.