Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the distress and uncertainty which exists in families in many constituencies in the country to-day as a result of the call-up of young girls from homes which are entirely dependent on their services, he will issue instructions to the hardship committees to adopt a more considerate attitude to the appeals for deferment and postponement which come before them?
§ Mr. BevinThe committees are statutory bodies and I cannot give them instructions. The umpire, however, has recently given a leading decision with regard to cases of domestic hardship and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.