§ 38. Mr Harry Wallaceasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are men who have served compulsorily since the outbreak 0f war in the Services for five years or more; and by what date these men will be released.
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, Sir. Since the release scheme takes account of age as well as service, men who have served five years or more will be in many different release groups. Some of the younger men will be in release groups which have not yet been promulgated for release and it is not therefore possible to say by what date they will all be released.
§ Mr. WallaceCould my right hon. Friend undertake to review this position, as there is much dissatisfaction in these age groups? These men are being prejudiced in their return to civil life. They have given the country the best years of their lives. I hope the right hon. Gentleman will be able to review the position and announce some date.
§ Mr. IsaacsIt is being reviewed, and we have looked at it to see if we can make some departure from the general scheme, but to do so would create such a number of other anomalies and dissatisfactions that we have had to abandon that. I can say that I have every hope that by the end of Group 32 all these men will be out.