§ Sir T. Rosbothamasked the Minister of Labour whether undergraduates at the universities will be allowed to finish their terms before joining up for training; and, if so, what course should they adopt to secure postponement?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe undergraduates who are at present liable to be called up under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act are those who had reached the age of 20 and had not reached the age of 21 on 3rd June last. The postponements granted to them under the Military Training Act have been cancelled, but they will have an opportunity of applying for postponement on the ground of exceptional hardship when called for medical examination.
I should add that all undergraduates are being given the opportunity to apply to the joint University recruiting boards for assessment of their suitability for commissions in the Armed Forces of the Crown. Following such applications they will be interviewed by the boards or, if they possess certain scientific and technical qualifications, by special technical committees attached to the boards, which will in suitable cases advise that they should be allowed to complete their University course.