Mr. Amoryasked the Minister of Labour the total number of men registered for National Service since 1945; the number found medically unfit; the number exempted on account of reserved occupations; and the number deferred and not subsequently called up.
Mr. Lee1,588,000 men were registered under the National Service Acts from 1st January, 1946, up to and including the most recent registration day on 5th May, 1951. Between 1st January, 1946 and 29th May, 1951, the latest date for which this information is available, 186,000 men were found medically unfit for service.
I have no power to exempt anyone from liability for national service. On 6th April, 1951, the calling-up of 120,000 men, which had been first deferred in 80W 1947 or later because they were employed in coalmining, agriculture or the Merchant Navy, remained deferred because they were still satisfactorily employed in these industries. Corresponding information for men originally granted deferment in 1946 is not available.