§ Mr. H. Hynd125, 126 and 129. asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many ex-miners are being released from the Army;
(2) if he will publish details of the arrangements for releasing ex-miners from the Army;
(3) which classes of soldiers are not eligible for release as ex-miners; and what is the number involved in each respective class.
§ Mr. StracheyEx-miners are eligible for release from the Army if they are Regular soldiers (excluding those on Type C, K or N engagements) and below the rank of acting sergeant, provided they last enlisted from civil life after 31st December, 1948, are up to the required medical standard, have had at least six months' experience of underground work in the mines and are prepared to work underground. Soldiers serving in units employed under the United Nations in the Japanese and Korean theatre are excluded. Release of soldiers will be conditional upon their acceptance by the Ministry of Fuel and Power. Soldiers are not eligible for release if they do not fulfil these conditions. I cannot say how many are involved in each class. Instructions were only issued to all Commands on 23rd February and no figures are yet available regarding the number of soldiers who are being released.