§ Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Defence if he is aware that the call-up of agricultural workers for 15 days' reserve training is giving rise to difficulties; and if he will consider granting exemption to such workers.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe substantial reductions in part-time training requirements announced in the White Paper on National Service (Command 9608) will mean that the demands made by the Services on agricultural workers are considerably less than in previous years. The Service Departments are willing to consider sympathetically any application to change dates of training on the ground of serious hardship to a reservist or his employer. I regret, however, that exemption cannot be granted to all agricultural workers called up for their National Service part-time training.