§ 7. Colonel YATEasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works. why the percentage of ex-soldiers and ex-sailors employed under that Department has gone down from 43.81 to 33.56 during the twelve months ending on the 31st March, 1912; and what steps are being taken to bring the percentage up to fifty?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)In this year's Return the labourers and gardeners are included. Previously they have been omitted. Had the basis of calculation remained unchanged the percentage of ex-Service men would have been 50.2 this year, as against 43.8 last year.
§ 36. Colonel YATEasked why, out of a total of 607 men employed by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, only 44 are ex-soldiers or ex-sailors; why the percentage has gone down from 9.65 to 7.25 during the twelve months ending on 31st March, 1912; and what steps are being taken to bring the percentage up to 50?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe great majority of the men employed and included in the Return are labourers and woodmen in the Crown forests. The labourers gradually work up to the position of woodmen as vacancies occur, and they acquire the practical training for the work. Not many old soldiers or sailors enter the service of the Crown as ordinary labourers in the woods.This circumstance tends to keep the percentage low and renders it liable to fluctuation.
§ Sir W. BYLESMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, seeing that ex-soldiers, and ex-sailors have been maintained out; of public money while in the Service, it i would not be fair to give civilians a chance in the civilian service?