HC Deb 22 November 1939 vol 353 cc1221-3
59. Sir P. Hannon

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is now satisfied that applications from firms engaged in armament production for the release of skilled workers who have been embodied in the Defence Services are being examined sympathetically, and that such men are being restored to their ordinary employment without undue delay?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Colonel Llewellin)

The problem of reconciling the needs of industry and of the Defence Services in respect of skilled men is, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, a very difficult one, in which other Departments are concerned in addition to the Ministry of Supply. I can, however, assure him that applications from firms engaged in armament production for the release of skilled workers from the Defence Services are being examined sympathetically by the Ministry of Supply, and that the Ministry is making every possible effort, with the co-operation of the Service Departments, to secure that a large proportion of such men are restored to their ordinary employment without undue delay.

Sir P. Hannon

Could my hon. and gallant Friend indicate how applications are dealt with? Are they dealt with by commanding officers of units or, in the first instance, by the Minister of Supply?

Colonel Llewellin

It depends on which category they fall into: for serving Territorial soldiers who are not officers or N.C.O.'s, applications should be made by firms direct to the commanding officers of the units, but in other cases the firms should approach the contracting firms, who are responsible for putting forward cases to the appropriate Service Ministers.

Mr. J. Morgan

Are key agriculturists who have joined up being released in the same way?

Colonel Llewellin

It is not a matter for me, but applications should be made to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Commander Sir Archibald Southby

If I bring a case to the notice of my hon. and gallant Friend, of a firm who are having great difficulty in getting skilled workmen released in order to carry on work specially required by the Admiralty, will he do his best to expedite the release?

Colonel Llewellin

I think my hon. and gallant Friend had better bring that to the notice of the Admiralty, because they seem to be the contracting Department.

Mr. Benjamin Smith

What process is to be adopted in the case of a soldier who was unemployed when he joined up, but is, nevertheless, a skilled craftsman?

Colonel Llewellin

He will, no doubt, find good scope for his skill in the fighting service which he has joined.