HC Deb 03 March 1942 vol 378 c529W
Mr. Thorne

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to comb out young men of military age who have joined the boards of munition firms or who are listed as welders, tool-setters or metal workers, trades of which they know nothing?

Mr. Bevin

Industrial classifications are checked periodically to ascertain what work is being done by men reserved under the Schedule of Reserved Occupations, and men are reclassified, when necessary, according to their actual occupations. Applications for the deferment of calling up of men who are not reserved by the Schedule of Reserved Occupations, or become de-reserved as a result of raising the age of reservation, are considered by the appropriate District Man-power Board, who will not grant deferment without satisfying themselves that the men are engaged on work of national importance and are indispensable for it. Directors of companies are not reserved.