§ Mr. E. Smithasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the agreements concluded between the engineering trade unions and the National Engineering and Allied Employers which provided for the relaxation of existing customs, he can make a statement on the arrangements that have been or are to be made to speed up the machinery for the release of urgently-required men from the armed forces and for the transfer of skilled men to technical units?
§ Sir V. WarrenderArrangements for the release of skilled men from the Army have already been applied, and a very large number of such men have been released either indefinitely or for a limited period. The civil qualifications of skilled men remaining in the Territorial Army are being carefully classified, and such men, if not already employed in the most suitable positions, are being transferred, as rapidly as can reasonably be done, to other duties. Good progress has already been made.