§ MR. FETHERSTONHAUGH (Fermanagh, N.)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether any effective steps have been taken to carry out any, and, if so, which, of the recommendations on pages 29 and 30 of the Report of the Committee on Civil Employment of Ex-Soldiers and Sailors; have any county and borough councils been urged as-suggested in recommendation 16, and with what result; and has any Irish county or borough council given a favourable reply.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The question of the provision of funds, for the establishment of the central association, recommended by the Departmental Committee on the Civil Employment of Ex-Soldiers and Sailors, is still under consideration. The Admiralty have not been able to see their way to co-operate in the creation of the proposed association. The Army Council, however, in view of the difficulties in regard to employment which at present handicap the ex-soldier, and from which, owing to the smaller number thrown on the labour market and the nature of their training, ex-sailors do not suffer to the same degree; are of opinion that the establishment of a central association is essential to the success of their endeavours to ameliorate-the prospects of ex-soldiers. Steps have-been taken by the Army Council in filling all appointments under their control to give preference to ex-soldiers of good character where they possess suitable qualifications. Pending the formation of the new association, no steps have been taken to establish the central office and he local committees, by moans of which, it was proposed to get into touch with 95 the various county and borough councils. The Army Council are in communication with general officers commanding-in-chief as to the best methods of imparting technical education as recommended by the Committee, and a standing advisory committee on technical education has teen established at the War Office with a view of assisting the local technical education committees which it is proposed to establish in the commands. With the exception of those measures which are dependent upon the establishment of a central organisation, progress is being made in carrying out the other recommendations of the Report. A committee is about to assemble to report upon the the payment of pensions and reserve pay at more frequent intervals.