asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of building trade apprentices who have been called up into the Forces since the end of the war with Germany; and whether, in view of the urgent need for such workers, he will request the future deferment of all those engaged in the building trade or who are apprenticed to it.

I regret that information on the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the second part of the Question, building trade workers who are likely to become craftsmen are not now called up to the Forces and the call-up of other young workers is being postponed for the time being.