§ 30. Mr. Cocksasked the Minister of Labour up to what group bricklayers have been offered release under Class B.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Ness Edwards)There are a number of different sub-classifications under the general heading " bricklayers."In the Army different groups have been reached in different cases and again in different arms of the Service. As a result of additional offers recently authorised the furthest group to be reached in any of these occupations in any arm at present is group 65, but in some occupations and in some arms that group has not been reached. As regards the Navy and Royal Air Force, I understand that, with the exception of those persons who cannot be spared, virtually every bricklayer with more than one year's service who is not due for early release in Class A has been offered release in Class B.
§ Mr. CocksIf I give the Minister instances of men in earlier groups who were formerly bricklayers and who have not been offered release, will he look into them?
§ Mr. EdwardsCertainly, Sir.
§ Mr. C. WilliamsWill the hon. Gentleman press the Army to let the men out, since it is the Army which is holding them up?
§ Mr. EdwardsSome 26,000 have been asked for—5,000 recently—and of that number 19,609 have been released under Class B.
§ Mr. BossomIs the hon. Gentleman aware that quite recently a bricklayer foreman was refused release because he could not be an instructor?
§ Mr. EdwardsI should like details of the case.