§ Mr. Ethertonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement in regard to new provisions to enable men with mining experience to return to the mines: and whether it is necessary for men who have previously applied under the old provisions and been refused to fill up forms again and make further applications, or whether such men will be treated as having made appropriate application.
Mr. AlexanderIt is true that men in the Navy with underground experience have recently been invited to volunteer to return to such work in the mines. The issue of this order is due to the increased need for such workers. In the interests of the Royal Navy, however, it has been necessary to exclude certain categories and ratings from the scheme. In special cases the requirements of the Naval service may still make it necessary to refuse applications from men permitted to volunteer. There is no readily available record of men who have previously applied for release and been refused as ineligible under the former provisions, and it is therefore necessary for fresh applications to be made on the prescribed form which has been promulgated to the Fleet and which calls for certain particulars required by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.