HC Deb 31 July 1905 vol 150 cc924-5
SIR CARNE RASCH (Essex, Chelmsford)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to Lord Roberts' statement, on May 15th, that only nine places had been found for retired soldiers in twelve months in Government Departments; if the statement is based on the Report of the Director-General of Recruiting; and what explanation he has to offer on the matter.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

My attention has already been drawn to this matter by my hon. and gallant friend. The statement in question referred only to the vacancies amongst messengers in public offices, other than the War Office, which had been filled by ex-soldiers. The numbers of ex-soldiers for whom employment generally has been found in the various public offices or Departments is shown in detail in the Report of the Director of Recruiting. The Post Office alone has found 1,461 places for ex-soldiers in the year concerned. The number of ex-soldiers employed at the War Office is 407.

MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)

asked if it were the practice for ex-soldiers to have preference over civilians with equal qualifications.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

said the War Office certainly always desired to do so far as that Department was concerned.