HC Deb 21 May 1952 vol 501 cc443-4
1. Mr. Driberg

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if instructions have now been issued in all the Services indicating the procedure under which ex-miners who were serving in the Far East last year may now apply for release to return to the mining industry, and bringing this concession to their notice; how many applications have been made so far, and from which Services; and how many of these have been granted.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence (Mr. Nigel Birch)

Instructions were issued by all three Services soon after Easter. So far 10 applications have been sent to the National Coal Board—six from the Navy, four from the Army and none from the R.A.F. Of these, one application has been granted and the rest are under consideration by the National Coal Board.

3. Mr. Swingler

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will grant immediate discharge to men who have completed Regular engagements and have volunteered for the coal-mining industry.

Mr. Birch

The request of the hon. Member would involve granting preferential early release from the Forces to certain men of long service and experience. As 1 informed the hon. Members for Pontefract (Mr. Sylvester) and Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 9th April, there is no question of re-opening the general scheme of release from the Forces to return to the mines, and the extension of that scheme as now proposed cannot therefore be entertained.

Mr. Swingler

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is concerned simply with men who have completed Regular engagements and would in any case, according to the promise made by the Service Ministers, be released within the next 12 months? In view of the overriding importance of coal-getting, recognised in other respects, would he not consider individual cases on their merits?

Mr. Birch

The hon. Gentleman will realise that his suggestion goes a great deal beyond the original scheme. That scheme has several conditions. First, a man must have served for six months underground; secondly, he must have joined after 31st December, 1948; thirdly, he must be below the rank of sergeant or the equivalent. The suggestion involves a much wider scheme, and, I think, the fewer distinctions we make, the better for National Service generally.

Mr. Fernyhough

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Ministry of Fuel and Power is hoping to export 12 million tons of coal this year and that it will be impossible to achieve this unless he gets the necessary miners? Since 30,000 miners could be obtained from the Forces, will he think again about that?

Mr. Birch

The hon. Gentleman will also realise that we are attempting to carry out the re-armament programme.

Mr. G. Jeger

In view of the great importance of the coalmining industry, both for home and export, will the Minister give an undertaking to reconsider the whole scheme with a view to extending the opportunities of ex-coal miners or would-be coal miners to go into the pits?

Mr. Birch

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the scheme has been reconsidered on a number of occasions, and I am afraid I cannot go further.