16. Mr. Murrayasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can do anything in the case of Private J. Sanderson, who has been recalled to the Army after working on open-cast coalmining for seven months, as he has five children in his home, under 14 years of age, in the care of a guardian, and in view of the importance of allowing this man to return to coal production.
§ Sir J. GriggAs the answer is necessarily rather long. I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Mr. MurrayIs the Minister aware that this man was taken away from a colliery, where the production was 1,500 tons a day, and where this man had been cutting coal? If my information is correct, this man, after being out for seven months, is now back in the Service, cutting grass.
§ Sir J. GriggThe hon. Member can read my answer, and, if he is not satisfied, he can put down another question.
§ Following is the answer:
§ This man was originally granted a period of release, on compassionate grounds, to enable him to make arrangements for the care of his children. A guardian now looks after them, but, if the present arrangements are unsatisfactory, I am prepared to consider the grant of a further short period of release. Later, he was released at the request of the Ministry of Fuel and Power, in order that he might take up underground employment at a certain colliery. Such releases are conditional upon the man taking up work underground, and, as he was, in fact, employed on open-cast work, he was recalled to the Army. I regret that his case can only be reconsidered if a further application is forwarded by the Ministry of Fuel and Power that he shall be released for work underground.