§ 58. Sir WILLIAM BULLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in certain country districts the Remount Department is employing unskilled men of military age at wages of 40s. and 45s. a week whose main duty is to lead horses on the roads; whether, although these men are not enlisted and are free to leave when they like, they are being supplied with some kind of uniform; whether he is aware that no inquiries are made of these men before they are engaged as to their reasons for not enlisting; whether he is aware that this system is causing dissatisfaction among all classes and is proving detrimental to recruiting in certain districts, men stating that they are not prepared to join the fighting ranks when others equally eligible for service are given these highly-paid civilian posts under the War Office; and whether he will consider the possibility of giving this employment to men who are not of military age or are unfit for military service and at wages somewhat more approximate to those paid locally?
Mr. BAKERAccording to the information in my possession the hon. Member appears to be misinformed. I shall be glad if he will communicate to me more specifically the statements on which his question is founded, so that I may have inquiry made.