§ Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Transport what are the present release arrangements for officers and men serving 463W in the Merchant Navy; up to what groups have releases been promulgated and by what dates will they be released.
§ Mr. Barnes,pursuant to his reply(OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th April, 1946; Vol. 421, col. 373),supplied the following statement
The Minister of War Transport announces that, after discussion with the representatives of the owners, officers, and men, it has been decided further to extend the age and service groups in which applications for release can be considered from Merchant Navy officers and men in the Reserve Pool and, at the conclusion of their present engagements, from those serving on board ship.
The age and service groups now eligible are as follow:
Masters and Navigating Officer 1–32 Engineer Officers: (a) Certificated (including holders of permits to serve in the place of Engineers with Second-Class Certificates) 1–27 (b) Uncertificated 1–37 Radio Officers: (a) Holding rst and end Class Certificates 1–37 (b) Holding special Certificates 1–50 Purser's Department 1–50 Ratings in Deck and Engine Room Departments 1–37 Ratings in Catering Department 1–50 Full details of the age and service groups can be obtained at any Mercantile Marine Office, Merchant Navy Reserve Pool Office, or from the officers' and men's societies. Those who wish to be released should apply to their local Merchant Navy Reserve Pool Office.