§ Mr. MacLeodasked the Minister of Labour how many young men, other than miners, between the ages of 25 and 30 years, have so far obtained exemption from, or otherwise avoided, National Service; and what steps are being taken to give them an opportunity to serve and to release men at present serving and called up before VE-Day.
§ Mr. IsaacsIt is estimated that the number of fit men now aged 25 and under 30, other than coalminers, who were retained in industry and agriculture because of the vital need of their services and who have not served in the Armed Forces is about 150,000. There were also about 161W 10,000 ministers of religion, conscientious objectors, etc., who were not required to serve in the Forces. As stated in Command Paper 6831, call-up to the Forces in 1947 and 1948 will, with few exceptions be confined to men liable under the National Service Acts who were born in or after 1929, and to those born in 1927 and 1928 who were in process of being called up in December, 1946. It is open to any man, subject to consideration of his individual circumstances if he is employed in coalmining or agriculture, to volunteer for service in His Majesty's Forces.