§ 6. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Labour if, as part of his national campaign to recruit men for the mines, he will now consult the Service Ministers, with a view to arranging the release from the Services of men willing to enter the coal industry.
§ Sir W. MoncktonI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 13th May last.
§ Mr. SwinglerShould not every proposal for recruiting more miners be very carefully reconsidered in view of the serious shortage of man-power and the prospects of a fuel crisis? As I have tried to show the Minister in correspondence, there are men in the Services with mining experience who would be more usefully employed in the mines? Will the Minister discuss the question with the Service Departments?
§ Sir W. MoncktonThis is a matter which always causes a great deal of difficulty because I have to balance the necessity of finding the men required for the Armed Forces with special require- 662 ments, such as that which the hon. Member has brought to my attention. I constantly carry it in mind and shall continue to do so.