asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Army officers of the last war, between 35 and 50 years of age, are at present unemployed.

The statistics of ex-officers registered at appointments offices do not distinguish between the three Services, and I regret that separate figures for ex-Army officers are not available.

Can the Minister say whether he has any information to show that there is a large number of unemployed ex-Army officers? Many would like to rejoin the Army if the regulations permitted. Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Secretary of State for War in this matter?

I shall be very glad to do that, because I think they could serve in more ways than one. We have not got the separate figures for Army officers, but I have the-overall figures.

Will the Minister give the overall figures?

Yes, Sir. They are 5,116 for 45 years and under, 1,380 for 46 to 55 years of age, and 487 for over 55 years of age, making a total of 6,983.