§ Sir W. COLLINSasked the Minister of National Service whether he has received representations from the borough surveyor of Derby as to the serious effects of the withdrawal of military labour of the agricultural battalion until recently available for the sanitary services of the town; whether ho is aware that, in consequence of the shortage of labour thus occasioned, the removal of refuse has become greatly in arrear and insanitary conditions are likely to arise detrimental to the public health; and whether he will endeavour to arrange either for cancelling the withdrawal of exemptions of men engaged in public health work or for their substitution by military labour?
§ Mr. BECKI have received from the borough surveyor of Derby representations to the effect stated by my hon. Friend. I was not aware that the sanitary services of that town had been supplemented by military labour of the agricultural battalion. The Order of the 9th April under Section 2 of the Military Service Act, 1918, withdraws the certificates of dustmen and carters employed in the collection and disposal of house refuse who are Grade I. or Category A, or who have not been placed in a medical grade or category, and who were born in or after 1875. The position of men principally and usually engaged as night soil scavengers employed in emptying privies and tub closets is not affected by the Order. The importance of not depleting unduly the labour required for sanitary1888W services is fully recognised, and we are in consultation with the Local Government Board as to what further steps can be adopted.