§ 70. Captain Chetwyndasked the Minister of Labour if he will arrange that time spent by Army personnel on Class W (T) Reserve, on work of national importance, should now count as service in assessing age and service release group numbers.
§ 71. Lieutenant Peartasked the Minister of Labour if the period of release for 620 Servicemen who volunteered for entry into the mining industry will count as service towards their current engagement.
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey) on 9th October, a copy of which I am sending him.
§ Lieutenant PeartIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some Servicemen who volunteered for the mining industry were handed instructions stating definitely that their service in the industry would count as service to their current engagement? Surely a pledge contained in these instructions should be answered.
§ Mr. IsaacsI am not aware that any such pledge was given
§ Lieutenant PeartIs the Minister aware that I can supply him with a copy?
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there has been a deviation from this principle in the matter of airmen who volunteered for the engineering industry and that it has given great satisfaction to these men? Will he not consider extending this principle to other industries and also to men released from the Army in Class W (T) Reserve?
§ 73 Mr. Shurmerasked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the recent concession given to men of the R.A.F. that time spent in industry, during temporary release, should count as service for grouping, he will consider giving the same concession to men in the R.N.
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Air to the hon. and gallant Member for Waterloo (Captain Bullock) on 10th October, a copy of which I am sending him.