§ 51. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the hardship caused by the call-up from two Cardiff firms of the key man responsible for training apprentices; and whether, in view of the scarcity of proper apprenticeship schemes in Cardiff, he will make a statement on his policy in such cases.
§ Mr. HeathI am not aware of the cases to which the hon. Member refers. There are no specific arrangements for deferment for men engaged in training apprentices, but when call-up would lead to exceptional hardship a man may apply for postponement.
§ Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Labour why men who wish to join the regular police force are refused deferment unless they enrol before the age of 19; and whether, in view of the urgent need to increase police recruitment, he will review this provision.
§ Mr. HeathI have recently reviewed the position together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. As well as those men who enrolled as cadets under the age of 19 years, men born after 30th June, 1939, who joined regular police forces as constables after they had reached the age of 19 years and before 1st December last year, are not being42W called up. As the hon. Member knows, men born after September, 1939, are not called up.