§ Mr. W. YOUNG(by Private Notice>) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has given further consideration, promised by him in reply to questions in this House, with regard to the possibility of releasing further members of the staff of the Employment Exchanges for service for the Army?
§ Mr. PRETYMANAs already stated by my right hon. Friend to the House, over 1,200 members of the staff of the Employment Department have already joined the Forces. The Department is engaged in work on behalf of the War Office, Ministry of Munitions, and Admiralty, which is recognised by all three Departments as work of essential importance for the successful prosecution of the War. As the strain on the available manpower of the country increases the importance of this work is bound to increase, and it has therefore been necessary to consider very carefully the possibility of releasing men without impairing the efficiency of the organisation. I have, however, found it possible, by arrangement with the Army Council and by the training of substitutes, to authorise the release of all men fit for general service under twenty-six years of age, subject only to the retention of 5 per cent. of men whose particular qualifications or the special nature of whose work renders them indispensable.