§ 81. Mr. Roland Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to avoid cases of hardship, he will arrange for those Class Z reservists who are engaged in seasonal work, particularly in the holiday resorts, to have the option of being called-up for their training in a period outside their normal season of employment.
§ Mr. StracheyOne of the main purposes of the recall of Z reservists is to bring together into units the men who will form these units in the event of a war. In consequence, it will not be possible to amend the programme of recall to suit the convenience of individuals. The overall period over which reservists will be recalled has, however, been spread as wide as possible in the interests of industry generally, and this should help to reduce its impact on the holiday period and on seasonal trades.
§ Mr. Llewellynasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now take steps to ascertain whether individual members on the Class Z Reserve are married or unmarried; and why steps to discover this particular have not been taken hitherto.
§ Mr. StracheyThe marital status of Z reservists is not a criterion in determining the necessity for their recall. I therefore see no advantage in obtaining this information.
§ Mr. Llewellynasked the Secretary of State for War what type of circumstances constitute excessive hardship sufficient to justify exemption from Class Z service of a man conducting a one-man business.
§ Mr. StracheyA Z reservist claiming exemption from recall on the grounds that he conducts a one-man business164W would be required to prove that he is personally and financially interested in the business, that his absence for 15 days would place the business in danger of collapse and that there is no possibility of making alternative arrangements for the business to be carried on.