§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Labour whether he will investigate the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a science graduate of London University in the employ of a British firm in London, who has been offered a responsible position in this country as an employee of a company in Canada wishing 526W to buy British chemicals for sale in Canada after the war, thus aiding our export position, but his application for release has been refused although his present employers agree.
§ Mr. BevinI have investigated the case, details of which have been sent to me by my hon. Friend. It is the case that the science graduate in question had the permission of his present employers to transfer to employment with the Canadian Company, but it was made clear that the work upon which he is engaged required that he should be replaced. The need for chemists for urgent war work is still so great as to make it difficult to agree to the proposed transfer at the moment, but I hope to be able to suggest an arrangement which will be satisfactory to all the parties concerned.