asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether, in order to help the national food position, active fishermen may be relieved of liability for being called up in their age groups under the National Service Act;

(2) whether, in view of the housing shortage, skilled men and apprentices in the building trade may he relieved of the liability for being called up in their age groups under the National Service Act.

I cannot relieve anyone of his liabilities under the National Service Acts. As regards deferment of call-up on industrial grounds, the Government are not prepared to extend the scope of such deferment beyond the two industries at present covered, namely, coalmining and agriculture.