§ Mr. Mainwaringasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in order to increase coal production, he will seek the release of additional ex-miners from the Armed Forces.
Major Lloyd GeorgeAdditional applications for release from ex-underground1608W workers in coalmines and volunteers for training for underground work in coalmines are being invited from the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. All men will have the opportunity to see the revised conditions governing eligibility for release and all applications must be made by the men to their Commanding Officers. Additional ex-underground workers are also to be released from the Royal Air Force. The terms under which applications may be made are now under consideration but no applications should be made at present. It is not proposed to vary the conditions at present governing releases from the Army. More than 7,000 'releases (ex-underground workers and volunteers for training) have been effected since November, 1943, but there are not likely to be many further releases.