asked the Minister of Labour if he proposes to alter the present regulations for calling up youths to the Armed Forces in order that adequate preparations for their future careers will not be irreparably disturbed by a premature period of military service.

No, Sir. If this proposal were adopted it would be impossible to meet the necessary call-up to the Armed Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to prevent the present call-up to the Services seriously interfering with production for export.

District Man-power Boards have been instructed about the importance of avoiding serious interference with production for export. Employers who are concerned about the call-up of key men are advised to make representations through the Government Department interested in their production.

Is my hon. Friend aware that when these representations are made it is such a long time before there are any results that trained men are actually called up, and are employed in pettifogging blind-alley jobs in the Forces?

I should like to see particulars of a case of that sort. In cases of complaint we have stopped action being taken and had an investigation on the spot. If any hon. Member has a similar complaint, we shall be only too glad to have the facts.

Will the hon. Member remember that I have submitted such cases and have not had a very satisfactory result?

It is very difficult for the Ministry of Labour to say that a man should be reserved if the Department con- cerned with that form of production is of the opinion that a man should be called up.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Department concerned is not given enough time to advise the Manpower Board before a decision is taken?

I must correct my hon. Friend. At least a fortnight's notice of a man's call-up is given to the employer.

Is it not all important that adequate time should be given to the employer so as to avoid dislocation?

In view of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter again.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of building trade apprentices who have been called up into the Forces since the end of the war with Germany; and whether, in view of the urgent need for such workers, he will request the future deferment of all those engaged in the building trade or who are apprenticed to it.

I regret that information on the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the second part of the Question, building trade workers who are likely to become craftsmen are not now called up to the Forces and the call-up of other young workers is being postponed for the time being.