§ 10. Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a man serving in the Merchant Service is exempted from National Service and a man serving in the police force is exempted from National Service, but an applicant for transfer from the Merchant Service to the police force is refused the transfer on the ground that he becomes eligible for National Service the moment he transfers; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this anomaly.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo. So far from members of police forces being exempt from National Service, the police forces do not normally recruit young men until they have discharged their National Service obligation. I see no anomaly in applying this practice to a young man whose call-up has been deferred during service in the Merchant Navy, when he decides to leave that service.