HC Deb 11 July 1918 vol 108 cc474-5
27. Mr. HOLT

asked the Minister of National Service whether all apprentices to the engineering trades have been called up for military service; and, if so, what steps are being taken to provide a supply of trained engineers in the immediate future?

Sir A. GEDDES

No, Sir; all apprentices in the engineering trades have not been called up for service. Those in Grade 1, born in 1898 and 1899, and a limited number of those born in 1900, have been called to the Colours. This leaves a very large number of apprentices born in these years, as well as all those born in later years, the number of whom has greatly increased through the expansion of the engineering industry due to the War. As a result, I see no reason to fear that the supply is likely to be endangered, more especially as the vast majority of the skilled men in the forces are engaged in technical units at their trade, and are subject to a low rate of casualty.

28. Mr. HOLT

asked whether the number of men enlisted into the Army from the shipbuilding and engineering trades during the first half of 1918 is more or less than 12,000?

Sir A. GEDDES

My hon. Friend was informed by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service on Monday that about 12,000 men had been released from the forces during the past six months for work in shipyards. I can make no general statement as to the numbers of men recruited for the armed forces in the course of this year, but if the object of the question is to learn how many men have been released for military service from the same establishments during the same period, I can assure him that the number is very much less than 12,000. With comparatively trivial exceptions, there has, in 1918, been no recruiting under the Military Service Acts from men engaged on ship hull construction and repair.

Mr. HOLT

Has there not been a very great deal of recruiting among men engaged in ship-engine construction?

Sir A. GEDDES

Not a very great deal. The total number taken from that particular industry is quite small even in relation to the 12,000 of which the hon. Gentleman originally spoke.