§ Lieut.-Colonel Byersasked the Secretary of State for War why 14214160 Sergeant Rogers, Specialist Wing, R.A.C. School, R.AC., T.D., C.M.F., and 14351534 Lance-Corporal Churchill, Line Coy., 2nd T.T.B, Royal Signals, Mons Lines, Catterick, Yorks., whose applications for release under Class B are supported by the Ministry of Works, have not been so released in view of the need of their services in Sherborne.
§ Mr. LawsonNo application for the release of Sergeant Rogers has been received from the Ministry of Labour and National Service Their application for Lance-Corporal Churchill was not despatched to the War Office until last Thursday; it is now being considered.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Byersasked the Secretary of State for War why 5682605 Lance-Corporal B. Butcher, S.L.I., H.Q. 3 District, C.M.F., who is a qualified bricklayer in Group 38, has not been offered Class B release.
§ Mr. LawsonIt has not hitherto been necessary to offer Class B release to any bricklayers of Group 38 to meet the demands of the Ministry of Labour and National Service under the bulk release scheme. A fresh demand has recently 25W been received, but I cannot yet say whether it will be necessary to offer release to men in Group 38 to meet this demand.
Mr. De la Bèreasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the case of 14343213 Lance-Corporal A Gardiner, 3 Platoon, 654 A.W. Company, R.E., B.A.O.R., who has had 4½ years previous employment as a bricklayer, and who is needed by his previous employers who are engaged on building work for the local council: and if he will release this man.
§ Mr. LawsonBricklayers are dealt with under the Class B bulk release scheme. It has not yet been necessary to offer Class B release to men in this soldier's age and service group serving in the Royal Engineers in order to meet the demands of the Ministry of Labour and National Service for bricklayers. I regret that I could not make a special exception in this particular case.