asked the Minister of National Service how his recent intimation of release from the Army of miners who are serving at home and of lower medical category than B 1 will be adminis- tered; and whether application will be made by individual soldiers, or must application be made through the miners' lodge, or can individuals apply from districts concerned, or will selection be made by the officer in command, and will priority be given to those whose service has been the longest?

Applications for the release from the Colours of miners who are serving at home and who are in a medical category lower than B1 may be made in any of the following ways:

(1) The individual soldier may apply through his commanding officer;

(2) The branch secretary of the union may apply to the War Office through the colliery firm concerned;

(3) The Controller of Coal Mines may apply direct to the War Office.

The selection will not be made by the officer in command of the man's unit. The War Office will release such low category miners serving in the Army at home as can be spared. I am afraid it is not practicable to regulate the order of release by length of service.

When ray hon. Friend uses the word "soldier," does he apply it to miners who have not yet been enlisted?

My hon. Friend asked me about release from the Army. Men can be released only when they have been enlisted.