§ 86. Mr. A. Nuttingasked the Secretary of State for War what Class A release groups have been reached up to date in the block release scheme for agriculture.
§ Mr. LawsonThe highest age and service Groups in which agricultural workers have been offered release under the Class B block release scheme are as follow: Army, 65; Navy, 66; R.A.F., 64.
§ 113. Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for War if he will be prepared to consider cases of agriculturalists releasable under the Block Release Scheme who have not been identified as eligible by the Service Department.
§ Mr. LawsonSuch cases may be considered individually on their merits if recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture and submitted to the War Office by the Ministry of Labour and National Service.
§ Mr. Pagetasked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to notify members of the Forces that agricultural workers with a year or more service are entitled to Class B release; arid whether commanding officers have been notified that disciplinary action will be taken if this release is delayed.
§ Mr. LawsonThere is no question of "entitlement" to release in Class B. Certain demands were received from the Ministry of Labour and National Service for various types of agricultural workers. These demands have since been extended to an extent which covers practically all the releasable men with over a year's service in the occupations concerned and authorisations for release in Class B have been issued accordingly. Orders are already in force for Class B release matters to be treated as urgent and. I have 323W no doubt that commanding officers are already carrying out these orders.