§ Dr. Petersasked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange for the cancellation of the enlistment notice to Mr. L. C. Brittain, of Manor House, Grafham, Hunts, who holds a Board of Trade certificate of competency as second-mate for foreign-going steamships, dated the 17th May, 1921, and a registration certificate No. M.W.S. 33629 with the Merchant Navy Reserve of the 8th September, 1939, which facts were duly recorded at the Huntingdon Employment Exchange; and, if not, upon what grounds of national necessity a sea-going duly qualified officer is required to serve in the Royal Corps of Signals?
§ Mr. BevinWhen Mr. Brittain registered for military service in May 1941, he stated his occupation to be that of insurance agent and did not express a preference for naval service or disclose his previous sea-going experience. There is some conflict of evidence as to the date when he made that experience known to the Department. The earliest notice in writing from him was received on 18th September, some nine days later than the 1525W date at which his calling-up notice took effect. I am however willing to accept his statement that he informed the local office of the Department orally at an earlier date when he received his summons to medical examination. Having regard to the fact that he was actually following the occupation of insurance agent his calling-up was quite in order but had he made his sea-going experience known earlier, inquiries would have been made with a view to transferring him to employment at sea. Since the calling-up notice has taken effect, he can only be released from the Army by the authority of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. I could only advise my right hon. Friend to grant such release if employment could be found for Mr. Brittain in the Merchant Navy and as I understand he has not been at sea since 1920 there may be some difficulty about this.