HC Deb 02 July 1957 vol 572 cc105-6W
Mr. Grimond

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement about the position of crofters in relation to call-up for National Service.

Mr. Iain Macleod

In consultation with the Secretary of State for Scotland and after considering views expressed by the Crofters Commission, I have now arranged to give special consideration, within the framework of the existing scheme for the deferment of call-up of agricultural workers, to applications for deferment made by crofters in the area covered by the Crofters (Scotland) Act, 1955. These arrangements recognise the special problems which exist in crofting communities, and will apply to men taking part in the working of crofts either full-time or part-time.

A main condition for the grant of deferment will be that the worker concerned cannot be withdrawn without grave injury to the croft or, alternatively, that he is regularly and actively engaged in the working of a croft and in addition is otherwise performing a service that is vital to the crofting community. Where appropriate, allowance will be made for limited temporary absences from the croft to undertake other kinds of work. In all cases it must be established that there is no prospects of suitable alternative labour becoming available in the near future.

Mr. Jennings

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the pressing need for increasing the number of graduate teachers in secondary schools, he will make arrangements under which a larger number of graduates can claim deferment of call-up for National Service to take up teaching posts.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Yes. After consuItation with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Defence and my noble Friend the Minister of Education, I have decided that men with first or second class honours degrees in an Arts subject who have successfully completed an approved course of teacher training and who take up approved posts in secondary schools will be able to claim indefinite deferment from National Service while they remain so employed. This scheme will come into operation forthwith. Arrangements already exist for the grant of indefinite deferment to first and second class honours graduates in science and mathematics who take up approved teaching posts.

In view of the Services' continued need for men with high qualifications I am unable at present to extend deferment to other categories of teachers.