HC Deb 26 October 1939 vol 352 c1603W
Captain Plugge

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the numbers of men who, without any previous experience, are now taking up work in munition factories; and whether they, if of military age, are to be exempted from service or whether exemptions of munitions workers will only cover those who were either so employed when war broke out or who are regarded as indispensable afterwards?

Mr. E. Brown

I have no doubt that many men, with and without previous experience, are now taking up employment with firms engaged upon the manufacture of munitions.

With regard to the last part of the question, reservation under the Schedule of Reserved Occupations does not depend on the nature of the manufacture carried on in the factory in which a man is now, or was at the outbreak of war, employed, but covers workpeople who follow an occupation included in the schedule, if they are of or above the age of reservation specified.