§ Wing-Commander Erringtonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the number of persons who have entered the Merchant Navy service from other walks of life during the period of the war.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerUnder the Registration for Employment Order, 14,000 ex-seamen have been recalled from shore employment to the Merchant Navy; 6,000 have been released from the Armed Forces; 6,000 have entered the Merchant Navy through the machinery of the National Service Act; many others have joined as volunteers. Most of these men, no doubt, were previously in other jobs, but I regret that I can make no reliable estimate of their total number.