§ 70. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Labour how many young men conscripted for the Forces have served one, two, three or more sentences of imprisonment for refusing to work in the mines, respectively.
§ Mr. IsaacsI regret that this information cannot be obtained without detailed inquiry into the subsequent history of every man who has been sentenced to imprisonment for refusing to work in the mines.
§ 71. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Labour if it is still the intention of His Majesty's Government to compel young men, conscripted for national service, to work in the mines.
§ Mr. IsaacsSince the end of hostilities in Europe, young men becoming available for calling up have been sent to work in ':he mines only when they voluntarily choose such work as an alternative to service in the Forces. Young men who, before the end of hostilities in Europe, were sent com 530 pulsorily to the mines after selection by ballot must remain there until they are eligible for release on the basis described in my statement of the 29th November, 1945, in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Derby (Mr. H. White).
§ Mr. HastingsDoes the Minister realise what a bad thing it is for industry to have unwilling labour forced upon it?
§ Mr. IsaacsThat is a matter of opinion. I am not expressing mine.