Several members are concerned about the position of applicants who
appear before Hardship Committees seeking a postponement of their military service. The procedure is laid down in regulations issued by the Ministry of Labour. At first the employment of solicitors or counsel was specifi- cally forbidden. Following representations by the Law Society, the rule was so far relaxed as to allow legal assist- ance before the Appeal Tribunal. But the unfortunate applicant may still not hire the services of his solicitor before the Committee, although the decision may affect his whole future. He mu, in effect, employ an advocate but not a qualified advocate. The concession regarding appeals is really illusory since, if the Committee is unanimous, he may only appeal with their leave. For obvious reasons the lawyers in the House have been chary of raising the matter themselves. Now, however, it is being taken up by a well- known Trade Union leader. There is, of course, no valid reason for the embargo.
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