§ 22. Mr. G. TERRELLasked the Minister of Munitions if he can state the number of applications which he has received from employers engaged on War Office work for the discharge from the Army of skilled mechanics who have enlisted and whose services are now urgently required; whether the discharges which have been granted by the War Office are provisional and subject to the discretion of the officers commanding the men; whether such commanding officers are in many, if not in most, cases refusing or holding up such discharges; and whether, in view of the urgency and importance of this subject, he proposes to take steps so as to ensure that the skilled men whom he considers necessary should be promptly released from the Army and allowed to return to thier civil employment?
§ The MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Lloyd George)I am unable to state the precise number of applications received. It is for the War Office and not for individual commanding officers to give authority for the return of the men from the Colours for industrial employment on munitions of war. Arrangements are being made for the purpose suggested in the last part of the question, but it must be for the Ministry of Munitions to decide where the services of the men available are most required. They will not necessarily be sent back to the employers in whose services they were when they enlisted.
§ Mr. TERRELLAm I to understand from the reply that the right hon. Gentleman has experienced no difficulty whatever with the War Office in granting these discharges?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI would not like to say that.