§ Mr. ANDERSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a case which came before the Brentford Tribunal in which a dairyman who said he was his own foreman, manager, and station-hand, and who is the support of an invalid widowed mother, was refused exemption; whether he is aware that this applicant quoted promises given in respect of one-man businesses and the only sons of widows, and was told by the chairman that the tribunal was not guided by any 221W past promises; whether his statement represents the policy of the Government; and what action, if any, it is intended to take?
§ Mr. LONGI have been furnished with particulars of this case by the local tribunal. The case was considered fully on its merits, and the man, who had on three previous occasions been given temporary exemption, was given a further fourteen days' exemption, subject to the condition that it was not to be renewed or open to variation except on an application made with the leave of the tribunal. The chairman denies having made any statement such as that mentioned in the question. The man has made an appeal to the Appeal Tribunal, so the case is stillsub judice, but it appears to have been fairly and fully considered by the local tribunal. I may mention that the man in this case is twenty-six, single, and has been passed for general service, and, further, that there are two sisters at home.