HC Deb 30 November 1943 vol 395 cc181-2
28. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Lance-Corporal J. W. Westhorpe, D/3879, 4th Company, C M.P., T.C., age 41, grade BX2, applied recently for his discharge from His Majesty's Forces to return to the mining industry, where he had been employed for 15 years; that, in spite of the intervention of the Ministry of Fuel and Power, the man's application was refused and, in view of the need for greater coal production, what are the qualifications for the success of such an application?

Sir J. Grigg

The general conditions governing the release of miners from the Army were announced by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for East Rhondda (Mr. Mainwaring) on 19th October. It was then explained that certain categories of men would be barred from release for military reasons. This man falls within the excluded categories.

Mr. Davies

How is it that one Department of State is crying for the return of ex-miners from the Army and that the right hon. Gentleman's Department is doing its best to prevent them coming out? How is it that it is as difficult for an ex-miner to get out of the Forces to work in the mine as it is for the proverbial camel to go through the eye of a needle?

Sir J. Grigg

If the hon. Member wishes to suggest that the War Office are not doing all they can, consistently with military necessity, to assist the needs of the coalmines, I suggest he should ask my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power and see what answer he gets.

Mr. Davies

I have been in negotiation with the Ministry of Fuel and Power, and they blame the right hon. Gentleman.

Sir J. Grigg

I should be very surprised if that were so, because the testimony given to me is exactly the contrary.

Mr. Bowles

On what principle was it laid down that men except those in the Pioneer Corps should have to be over 36 before they could be released from the Army?

Sir J. Grigg

These men have been trained for the Army. They may at any time now have to undertake definite military operations, and the principle which was laid down was that there should be no prejudice to these military operations.