HC Deb 18 December 1956 vol 562 c132W
67. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Labour if he aware of the difficulty experienced in obtaining young men to work as firemen on the railway in the Bristol area: and if he will take steps to exempt these men from military service so that once they start they can continue their service on the railway where they would be required in the event of an emergency.

Mr. Iain Macleod

As the hon. Member is aware, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation announced in the House on 5th December that for the duration of the present emergency the call-up of certain men in key positions on the railways, which includes firemen, is to be suspended. There is at present a general shortage of young men for employment and I am not prepared to grant indefinite deferment to those young men to whom the hon. Member refers.