§ 134. Sir J. Lucasasked the Minister of Defence if he is aware that former miners who enlisted prior to the war are not allowed to purchase their discharge from the Services to return to the mines; and whether, in view of the national fuel crisis, exceptions can be made in approved cases for this purpose.
§ Mr. AlexanderAs I explained in the reply given on 26th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Clay Cross (Mr. Neal), those miners now in the Forces who enlisted voluntarily before the war will have adopted the Forces as their career. It is very unlikely that their previous experience of mining will, at this date, be of much value, whereas they are of particular value to the Forces. I regret, therefore, that I cannot agree to the hon. Member's suggestion.