§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the lowering of the age of enlistment of men and women and the consequent necessary inclusion of large numbers of university students half way through their courses for degree examinations, he will give the university recruiting boards, composed of officers of the universities with intimate knowledge of the students concerned, special powers of deferment of service in individual cases?
§ Mr. BevinThe lowering of the age of call up in the case of men to include men born in 1923 will not affect the special arrangements that have been made with regard to students following certain specified scientific or technical courses. Other male students at the universities who are in the 1923 age class may apply to University Joint Recruiting Boards and if they receive a favourable recommendation they may, after enlistment into one of the Fighting Services be placed to the reserve and subject to the exigencies of the Service be allowed to complete one year at the University while receiving training in the Senior Training Corps or the Air Training Squadron. These arrangements will not extend to students who have already completed three terms at the University. At present it is not intended to call up women under the age of 20. The arrangements to be made in respect of women students over that age are now being considered.