§ CAPTAIN NORTON () Newington, W.I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the office of the Chief Ordnance Officer, Pimlico, is to be organised and manned in the same 984 way as that at Woolwich and other stations; if so, can he state approximately on or by what date the present Civil Service clerical staff will be transferred to the War Office establishment, and whether the transfer will be made en bloc; and what steps it is proposed to take to ensure that these officials shall receive fair compensation for the abolition of the staff and other posts, the succession to which has been held out to them for many years past?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.These clerks are either second division or staff clerks serving under the Order in Council. In the reorganisation of the Army Clothing Department, their status will not be changed. The final distribution of the clerks will be determined very shortly, and though no claim for compensation can be admitted on account of possible loss of prospects due to the reorganisation, as much consideration as possible will be given to the wishes and interests of the gentlemen affected.