§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the increasing demand for man-power, rendered worse by the loss of many thousands of prisoners, he will consider the desirability of making more use of elderly men, especially in scientific posts, so as to release younger men for active service, of making more use of women graduates in scientific occupations for the same purpose, of applying more selective sifting of present reservations, and of putting a stop to the practice by which persons with no previous agricultural experience purchase farms in order to become exempt from service?
§ Mr. BevinWhenever practicable younger men are replaced by older men and by women in scientific as in other posts. Under the Control of Engagement Order arrangements have been made to secure, with the assistance of University authorities, the effective allocation of women graduates in science to the most appropriate employment. As regards the last part of the Question, I have no control over the purchase of farms but would point out that a person who purchases a44W farm is only reserved from calling up if he is primarily occupied as the working principal.