§ Mr. Callaghanasked the Minister of Labour on what work of vital national importance it is intended to employ six officers of Customs and Excise whose names have been communicated to him, whom he is proposing to release under Class 13; and how many other Customs and Excise officers have been similarly released from the Army.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe men to whom my hon. Friend refers are trained officers of Customs and Excise who are being returned to their department because of the acute shortage of such officers. They are required to enable the department to carry out its revenue and other duties, and, in particular, to handle the work at the ports expeditiously in order to prevent hindrance to trade. This work is of vital national importance, especially at the present time. The number of officers of Customs and Excise to be released from the Forces in Class B is 100. Of these 75 have been released to date, of whom 26 are from the Army.