HC Deb 22 June 1917 vol 94 cc2126-7W
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that Mr. John M'Killep, of 41, Ardenlea Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow, is an only son and the sole support of his parents, who are both permanently in- valided and unfit for work; that the local tribunal granted him conditional exemption on the ground of domestic hardship; that the Lanarkshire Appeal Tribunal on the 4th of June, on the appeal of the military representative, withdrew the exemption, although the sheriff, in announcing the decision, said that this was a case of hardship; whether domestic hardship is still a ground on which the tribunals may grant exemption; whether any instructions or advice have been issued to tribunals on this matter; and whether there has been any change in the practice of tribunals in granting exemption on this ground?

Mr. MUNRO:

I have no information regarding the particular case referred to by my hon. and learned Friend. Serious hardship arising from the applicant's domestic position is a competent ground of exemption. Numerous instructions and circulars have been issued with reference to this matter. It is for the tribunals to determine in individual cases whether the degree of hardship is such as to justify exemption.