HC Deb 06 May 1908 vol 188 cc232-3
EARL WINTERTON

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether Civil servants serving in the Territorial Force Will be granted special leave of absence, in addition to their ordinary leave, to attend annual training camps with their corps; if so, whether this special leave will be granted for the whole period, or for a proportion only, and in what proportion of the time, that such Civil servants spend in the annual training camps; whether in the event of Civil servants enlisted in the Territorial Force being called upon to serve a course of special training in that force, for six months or thereabouts, the posts they occupy in the Civil Service will be kept open for them on their return from the Special Army training; whether the official pay of Civil servants will be continued during the whole period such Civil servants are called upon to perform special training with the Territorial Force; and whether the promotion of Civil servants in the various branches of the Civil Service will be adversely affected should they be required to undergo special training with the Territorial Force for several months at a time.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. CHARLES HOBHOUSE,) Bristol, E.

Subject to the requirements of the public service special leave, for a period not exceeding fifteen days, will be granted to Civil servants attending annual camps. The arrangements to be made on the embodiment of the Territorial Force will be matter for consideration when occasion arises; and I do not think it is necessary to make any statement on the subject at the present time.

EARL WINTERTON

Will the hon. Gentleman explain the ambiguous phrase "subject to the requirements of the public service?" Are restrictions likely to be often put in force?

MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE

I do not think there is anything ambiguous in the words. If the service can spare a Civil servant he will be allowed to go.

EARL WINTERTON

Will they be spared in times of crisis?

MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE

I am afraid I cannot answer that.

EARL WINTERTON

Having regard to the fact that considerable doubt exists in the minds of Civil servants, will the hon. Gentleman issue regulations on the subject?

MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE

I must ask for notice of that.