§ Mr. LEIF JONESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of 1323W the chairman of Messrs. Barclay, Perkins and Company, Limited, at the meeting of the company on 12th July, that a great many of the men in their employment were only too anxious to join the Army, but that the directors had not been able to allow them to go, as they were required for making beer; and whether he will use his influence with this and other brewery companies to induce them to release men who wish to join the Colours?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, Sir, my attention has been drawn to this statement. Employers in the brewing industry, as in many others, "have been appealed to by all the means available to allow their eligible men to join the Colours, and to fill their places temporarily by men outside the recruitable age, or, if possible, by women. These appeals have not been without success, and in this particular instance 50 per cent. of eligible men have joined the Colours. The precise extent to which further appeals may be required will, of course, be disclosed by the National Register when it has been made.