§ 27. Major Milnerasked the Secretary of State for War, what instructions have been issued for the combing out of aircraft fitters and similar highly-skilled engineers from the Army; how many applications for such release have been refused since 1st September 1939; and whether all such cases can now be reviewed?
§ Mr. LawI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by the Minister of Labour to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith) on 7th March last. A very large number of skilled men have been released from the Army, but I cannot say how many applications have been refused, nor can I undertake to review all such applications.
§ Major MilnerIs the Minister aware that there are still a great number of highly skilled aircraft fitters in the Army; that many of them have applied and that their applications have been refused? Is it not in the national interest that these cases should be reviewed at once?
§ Mr. LawCases of application for release are being reviewed continuously, but I think the hon. and gallant Member must realise the need of the Army itself for the services of some of these highly skilled men.
§ Major MilnerBut is it not the case that the services of these men are not being made use of in the Army; and that in the case of an individual mentioned in a later question who has been doing nothing for four months, his services are urgently required on Government aeroplane work in the North of England?
§ 28. Major Milnerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 400 the release from the Army of Driver G. S. Henderson, No. 63278, Royal Army Service Corps, Mechanical Transport, a qualified aircraft fitter, urgently required by the Blackburn Aircraft Company, has been refused, and his application for transfer to the Royal Air Force ignored; that this soldier has been certified medically unfit for overseas service and returned home; that until recently he has been doing nothing in the Army and is now driving a lorry in Scotland; and whether he can be immediately released to assist in the production of aeroplanes?
§ Mr. LawThis soldier joined the Supplementary Reserve in June, 1937. He enlisted as a driver and went overseas in this capacity. He has recently returned to this country for medical reasons. In view of his former civilian employment, which has now been brought to notice, he is being tested and, if found to be qualified, will be employed as a fitter, of which trade the Army has great need. I have not been able to trace an application for transfer to the Royal Air Force but I do not think his release from the Army would be justified.
§ Major MilnerIs the Minister aware that the Under-Secretary of State for War replied some time ago to the effect that this man's services could be made use of in the Army? They have not been made use of, and he has been doing nothing for four months. Could he not be better employed in making aeroplanes instead of being employed as a lorry driver?
§ Mr. LawHe is not now engaged in driving a lorry, but is being tested as to whether he is a qualified fitter, as the hon. and gallant Member says he is.