asked the Minister of National Service whether Private E. O. Pollard, No. 019,438, Mechanical Trans port, Army Service Corps, now employed as a motor driver in France, is a skilled shipbuilding engineer who served four years with Messrs. Vickers at Barrow; and, if so, why is he not sent back to the shipbuilding and engineering trade?

I have been asked to answer this question. I understand that the facts stated in the first part of the question are correct, but, in view of the existing military situation, it is not proposed to take any special action in the matter at present.

In view of the present military situation, will these skilled men be sent back to France?

I understand that no skilled shipbuilders were ever returned from France.