§ 23. Mr. Purbrickasked the Secretary of State for War how many skilled miners have been temporarily released from the Army for that work during the months of May, June, July and August and up to date in September, respectively, and how many more are available temporarily?
§ 25. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has given 445 further consideration to the urgent national need for the return to the mines of coalminers in the Army.
§ 30. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War whether, owing to the serious danger of shortage of coal in the coming winter, he will release skilled miners on temporary leave from the Armed Forces?
§ Captain MargessonThe Government's policy with regard to the release of coalminers from the Armed Forces was explained by my hon. Friend the Secretary for Wines in answer to Questions on 9th September. He stated that it had not been found necessary to ask for the return of more men from the Fighting Forces, and I have nothing to add to that statement.
§ Mr. PurbrickWould it not be possible for my right hon. and gallant Friend to give us the approximate numbers?
§ Captain MargessonI am afraid I have not got them.
§ Mr. KeelingIf I offer to bet my right hon. and gallant Friend that these men will be back in the mines by Christmas, will he accept the offer?
§ Sir A. KnoxDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not consider that as these men have now no doubt been fully trained, they might be allowed out on leave, in order to get more coal and to increase the war effort?
§ Captain MargessonIt is not a question of their having leave for a short time. My hon. and gallant Friend, who has been a soldier himself, knows that you cannot just train a man and then let him go. Training is a continuous process.
§ Sir A. KnoxShortage of coal is the governing factor.
§ Captain MargessonI can only answer that by repeating what my hon. Friend the Minister of Mines said in his answer of 9th September.