§ Mr. Nuttingasked the Minister of Labour what proportion of men eligible for release from the services under Group B have opted for release under Group A; and what proportion of men so doing would seriously prejudice the essential labour supply from this source.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsRelease in Class B did not begin until the middle of July, and information as to acceptance or refusal of the offers which have so far been made is not sufficiently complete to enable safe conclusions to be drawn. The returns which are available show that the number of refusals exceeds the number of acceptances, but these returns relate to men with prospects of comparatively early release in Class A. The number of acceptances may be expected to increase as the offers are extended to men in the458W later age and service groups, and the offers will be so extended until the required numbers are forthcoming.