§ MR. HUDSON (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that during the month of May and the early part of June last, a sergeant of the Royal Irish Fusiliers was employed as a checker at the Midland Great Western Railway, North Wall, goods store; and can he say for what purpose the military authorities are placing men belonging to the Army in such occupations on the railway while so many civilians cannot get work.
§ MR. BUCHANANThis man arrived home from India on the 29th April, and
† See(4) Debates, clxxv, 1071.127 was as is customary given six weeks furlough pending discharge in order to enable him to seek employment. He obtained such employment as a checker at the North Wall goods store of the Midland South Western Railway.
§ MR. HUDSONIs it not the case that the man appeared on the North Wall daily in his regimentals and did ordinary civilian work while receiving Army pay?
§ MR. BUCHANANI am not aware. But the man was under notice of discharge and it is customary on return from foreign service to grant a man furlough for six weeks to enable him to look for employment. That is what occurred in this case.