asked the Minister of Defence how many men, who have at any time worked in the mines, are still serving with the Armed Forces, but excluding men balloted under the Bevin Scheme who have entered the Forces since the repeal of the Essential Work Orders.

I gave the total numbers of men with mining experience now in the Forces in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 5th March. I regret that the numbers of ex-ballotees who have entered the Forces since the repeal of the Essential Work Order are not available.

Will my right hon. Friend consider making arrangements for these men to get priority demobilisation, so that they can return to the mining industry, should they so wish?

We give immediate release in the case of applications from those in the Forces who have experience of mining. Most of the Bevin boys in the Forces are those who were found to be unfit for the work and were therefore taken into the Forces. I think that each case should be examined on its merits.