§ 66. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Minister of Labour if, in order to relieve apprehensions that have arisen, he will consider the desirability of announcing that men liable for National Service, but at present employed in coal mines scheduled for closure, shall be exempt from service even though they leave the mining industry.
Mr. lain MacleodI have considered the position of men liable for National Service who have to leave coalmining because of closures. It would be unfair to other men who are called upon to serve in the Forces if they were all relieved of their obligation to do National Service but there is a case for special consideration being given to those who have worked for several years in the mines and are approaching the upper age limit of liability. I have therefore made arrangements which will ensure that any of these men who are within two years of the upper age limit will have their case looked at specially, and normally, they will not have their obligation enforced.