§ 31. Sir J. WALTONasked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that many thousands of chauffeur mechanics are being retained for the convenience and pleasure of their employers; and whether he will issue a strong appeal to all motor car owners and garage owners to release these men so that they may be able to volunteer for national service in munition works or motor transport, giving an undertaking to reinstate them at the end of the War?
§ Dr. ADDISONMy right hon. Friend has no definite information as to the number of chauffeur mechanics retained for the purposes suggested in the question, but he is very glad to take this opportunity of making an appeal to any person who may now be employing, for private convenience, a mechanic of any kind who might be employed on munition work, to encourage any such workman to transfer his services to such work. I would point out that the organisation of the War munition volunteers, just set on foot, affords a full opportunity for transferring men in this way, and all such men should be urged to offer their services at the nearest Munition Work Bureau.