§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Minister of National Service whether the new Government scheme includes the withdrawal of certificates of exemption from any men now engaged in agriculture?
§ Sir A. GEDDES:If the Military Service Bill now before the House passes into law any decision as to the withdrawal of certificates of exemption from men in particular occupations must depend upon the conditions prevailing at the time of the' decision. The maintenance of sufficient agricultural labour throughout the' country is fully recognised as of the' highest importance, but if at any time in the future in any particular quarter there were a surplus of agricultural labour, it would be possible under the provisions of the Bill to deal with that surplus in so far as it was exempted on occupational grounds. Vouchers issued by county agricultural executive committees to men engaged in agriculture are not exemption certificates, and can therefore be dealt with apart from the powers to deal with, exemptions contained in the Bill.