asked the Minister of Labour if he will give an estimate of the number of men in the Forces who have served five years; and give consideration to the immediate demobilisation of such men and their replacement, if necessary, by the call up of men in industry up to 35 years of age.

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not readily available. As regards the second part of the Question, I am not prepared to consider a departure of this nature from the present release scheme, which gives due weight to length of service as well as to age.