§ Mr. D. Brookasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a business firm in Halifax, which has given public notice of its intention to leave the town in two years, is using powers under the Emer- 769W gency Regulations to prevent such of its present employees as have the opportunity from taking permanent employment elsewhere; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this practice.
§ Mr. IsaacsI would remind my hon. Friend that under the Essential Work Orders permission to leave employment is granted or refused, not by the firm but by a National Service Officer, and that either party, if aggrieved, has the right to appeal to an independent appeal board against that decision. I am not aware of any individual case where refusal of permission to leave the firm has caused exceptional hardship.