§ Flying-Officer Bowdenasked the Minister of Labour if he will agree to the deferment of apprentices from military service under the National Service Acts, until their apprenticeships have been completed, in those cases where the men are within a reasonable time of completion of their apprenticeships.
Mr. IssacsThe Government's demobilisation plans require that the maximum number of young men shall be called up. Deferment on account of apprenticeship can, therefore, be granted only in a limited number of highly skilled occupations. In these cases deferment is granted until the age of 20 or the end of the apprenticeship whichever is the earlier. Apprentices may, however, also be granted deferment up to and beyond the end of their apprenticeship on account of the national importance of their work. I am unable to make further concessions in present circumstances.