§ Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange with shipping companies that men due for release from the Merchant Navy shall not be included in crews of ships setting out on voyages which will not bring the men back to the United Kingdom in time to be released with the correct age and Service groups.
§ Mr. BarnesThe majority of Merchant Navy officers and men have made the sea their career and automatic release by age and service groups does not arise. From time to time, as the manpower position permits, extensions of release groups are announced but it is not possible to ascertain the numbers in those groups who will desire to be released or to fix in advance the dates of future extensions of release groups. I am afraid it is not, therefore, possible to adopt the suggestion made by my hon. Friend.