HC Deb 26 May 1950 vol 475 cc302-3W
Mrs. Jean Mann

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will allow Andrew Gardner, whose case has been sent to him and who is the only child of his sole remaining parent, who is suffering from tuberculosis, to defer his military service, since he has expressed his willingness to join the Territorial Army for training.

Mr. Isaacs

No. Membership of the Territorial Army cannot exempt a man from his obligation under the National Service Acts to perform a period of whole-time service. I would add that Mr. Gardner has already been granted postponement of call-up for over three years on the grounds of exceptional hardship. On 11th May, the Military Hardship Committee refused further postponement but gave him leave to appeal to the Umpire, whose decision in this matter is final.