asked the Minister of Labour if he will consult with the Service Ministers with a view to ensuring that men newly called up into the Forces are directed, so far as possible, into those trades in which men due for release are being held back.

This is a Service matter, but I understand that the procedure suggested by my hon. Friend is already in operation.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women by age groups, who were previously employed in industry, have been conscripted to each of the three Services, respectively, apart from the normal call-up of youths of 18 years, during each month of 1945 up to September; and how many, by age groups, it is intended to call up in the last three months of this year.

The detailed information desired by the hon. Member is not available. It is, however, estimated that, apart from youths of 18, and students, there were called up from industry under the National Service Acts during the first nine months of 1945 about 42,000 men. For the last three months of the year it is estimated that the corresponding figure will be about 32,000. No women have been called up under the National Service Acts during 1945.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether due distinction is being made between skilled and unskilled men and women, and will he assure the House that the minimum number of skilled people are being called up from industry so far as possible, while the maximum number of unskilled people are being called up, with a view to speeding up demobilisation as fast as possible?

All relevant circumstances are taken into consideration, but as one of the so-called unskilled workers I do not think that all the burden of the country should be borne by the so-called unskilled labourer.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the importance of engineering toolmaking to all industries in the nation, he will consider deferring, for two years, the call-up of young toolmakers and skilled technicians engaged in this section of industry.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the difficulties which are being caused in the engineering industry by the call-up for the Forces of skilled toolmakers; and whether, in view of the importance of retooling for peace production and the export trade, he will reconsider the present policy.

The call-up of men from the engineering industry must proceed if the programmes of release from and intake to the Forces are to be maintained. In view of the present labour shortage the call-up may cause some difficulty to employers both in the engineering: industry and elsewhere, but every effort will be made to reduce these to the minimum particularly as regards highly skilled men who are needed for the re-establishment of our vital civilian industries.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the engineering toolmaking industry must not be confused with the engineering industry in general, and that it is the basic foundation of the whole of our industries? Is he also aware that numerous industries in the country to-day are depending on that section to supply them with the necessary tools to make machinery?

Yes, Sir. I can inform my hon. Friend that toolmakers who were born before 1923 and who are engaged upon important work are not being called up.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the policy of the Government is to widen existing bottlenecks, and not create fresh ones?

That is the policy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these toolmakers cannot be replaced by men returning from the Forces, and that if he takes these men away he will cause a great deal of engineering unemployment?