§ Mr. WILKIEasked the Minister of National Service whether his attention has been drawn to the urgent demand for shipwrights and drillers in the shipbuilding and ship repairing establishments; if so, why the release of these skilled men, now serving in technical units such as the Royal Engineers, the Royal Flying Corps, the Army Ordnance Corps, and the Inland Water Transport, has been refused; and, in view of the necessity of utilising the skill of these men to their fullest advantage in shipbuilding, will he endeavour to secure their release for such work?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI think the hon. Member must be unaware of the fact that arrangements have been made for the release from the Colours of 20,000 men with shipyard experience. As to the method of selection, I would refer him to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for War to the hon. Member for Dublin Harbour on the 28th February.