§ Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that Hugh Lewis, Glan Seiont Farm, Carnarvon, forty-nine years of age, Grade 2, is a master mariner, that he has long ago offered his services to the National Service Departments, namely, on the 1st March, 1917, and 28th June, 1917, that he offered his services to the Admiralty on 23rd February, 1918, to the Ministry of Labour, Carthays Park, Cardiff, on the 18th March, 1918, that no employment was offered him, and that he is now called up for military service; and whether the notice can be deferred pending further inquiries by his Department?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI do not know why Mr. Hugh Lewis cannot get employment at sea, but every effort has been made to find him work of national importance. For instance, he was invited to meet an official of the Inland Waterways and Docks, with a view to his special qualifications being placed at the service of the State, but so far as I can gather took no action. He has likewise failed to avail himself of an opportunity to work on the land, and he has refused to give any particulars to enable his name to be registered at an employment exchange. Nevertheless, I have issued instructions to suspend his calling-up notice in the hope that he may yet find some suitable outlet for his special qualifications.