§ 66. Mr. Holmesasked the Minister of Labour why No. 23260378 Gunner P. J. Walsh, E. Troop, 177 Battery, Royal Artillery, Towfanau Camp, has been called up for National Service, when he was, and always has been, an underground mineworker, and at the time of his call-up was on underground development work.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe call-up of Gunner Walsh for National Service was deferred while he remained in underground coalmining employment with the National Coal Board. In September, 1955, my Department became aware that Gunner Walsh had left his employment with the Board and he accordingly became available for call-up. It was open to Gunner Walsh's new employers, a firm of shaft sinking contractors, to apply for the deferment of his call-up, in view of the nature of the work upon which they were engaged for the National Coal Board. In fact, however, they made no such application.