Miss Rathboneasked the Minister of Labour whether he will state his policy regarding the calling-up of university students for service; whether, and under what limitations as to period and faculty, extensions of time will be given to enable students otherwise liable for service to finish their course; and whether cases where special hardship to the student or loss to his intended profession would be caused by interruption of his course, will be considered for special extension?
§ Mr. E. BrownI would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Sir T. Rosbotham) on 28th September and to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 4th October, copies of which I am sending her.
§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Labour why the revised exemption list of 1st October brought in for the first time, for military service, trainees in the colleges which are producing technicians and teachers; and whether he will consider the greater advantage to the State in allowing these young men a period of exemption to enable them to complete substantially their studies?
§ Mr. E. BrownI presume that the hon. Member refers to the cancellation of the general postponement of training, which was granted to full-time students under the Military Training Act. Under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1215W individual students can apply for postponement of their liability to be called up for service, on grounds of exceptional hardship. Students possessing certain technical and scientific qualifications will also have the opportunity of applying to the technical committees associated with the university joint recruiting boards which can in suitable cases recommend that they should complete their courses of study.