§ Mr. ANDERSONasked the Minister of National Service what steps have been 2176W taken to issue protection certificates to skilled workers between forty-one and fifty-one years of age engaged in industries in which men of a lower age already hold such certificates; and whether steps will be taken to place the older men on an equality with the younger men in essential industries in respect of the holding of protection certificates?
§ Mr. BECKInstructions have been issued to the officials concerned to prepare certificates of protection for issue to men engaged on Admiralty, War Office, or munitions work who have become liable to military service in consequence of the provisions of the recent Military Service Act, and who would have been entitled to such certificates in respect of their occupation if they had been liable to service prior to the passing of the Act. These certificates are not yet ready for issue owing to the great amount of clerical work involved, but instructions have been issued that the men affected are not to be called up for service, notwithstanding the fact that they do not yet hold the certificates.