asked the Secretary of State for War why ex-miners who are serving as National Service men will not be released under the scheme recently announced.

Underground workers in the mines are not normally called up for National Service in the Forces. The few who are serving either left the mines voluntarily before call-up or were not reserved. There would be little advantage in giving these men the opportunity of returning to the mines.

In view of the fact that any ex-miners who are serving as National Service men are obviously volunteers, is it not a pity to spoil the concession recently announced by making this small exception?

The concession was announced quite clearly as applying to members of the Regular Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War what instructions he has given to commanding officers in Germany about the reply they are to give to soldiers who have been miners and wish to make application to return to work in the mining industry.

Instructions have now been issued to all commands to ensure that all other ranks on normal Regular and certain short service engagements who have had at least six months' experience of underground work in the mines, and who are below the rank of acting sergeant, shall be offered release, provided they are prepared to work underground and they fulfil certain other conditions.

Why cannot the same conditions be extended to National Service men?

I gave the reason in reply to a previous Question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of the numbers involved? How many coalface miners in the Army come under this category?

I cannot say without notice.

Will this apply also to ex-miners who are serving in Korea?

I cannot say without notice.