asked the Secretary of State for War how many ex-miners still remain in the Army whose age is over 44 years and medical category is below B1; and why these men are not released for work in the mines?

It was decided by the Government that any former miners of whatever age or medical category for whom there was immediate work underground should be released from the Army unless they held the rank of sergeant or above or were serving overseas, in units of the field force or in certain special units. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power asked colliery owners to submit requests for the release of such men and as far as I am aware these releases were practically invariably carried out. These arrangements were in force for nine months and before they were terminated a reminder was sent to collieries in order to ensure that no men were overlooked. I regret that the figures asked for by my hon. Friend are not available.