§ 6. Mr. SANDERSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War upon what principle promotion is given in the butchers' section of the Army Service Corps, at Aldershot; whether appointments to the field butcheries are now given to men who are merely cutters in preference to fully qualified butchers; and, if so, whether he will see that the services of qualified butchers are in future utilised to the full extent?
§ Mr. TENNANTAll butchers undergo a course of field butchery instruction at Aldershot, at the end of which they are classified as to suitability for promotion. In allotting the men to units no preference is given to cutters over butchers. The services of fully qualified butchers are already utilised to the fullest possible extent.
§ Mr. SANDERSONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that at the present time fully qualified butchers who have given up their businesses for the purpose of assisting the State with their skilled knowledge are put on fatigue duties not connected with butchering at all, and whether he will take steps to see that their knowledge and skill are in future utilised in the best manner?
§ Mr. TENNANTDo I understand the hon. Gentleman to suggest that these men have enlisted for the purpose of being professional butchers?
§ Mr. SANDERSONYes.
§ Mr. TENNANTIf the hon. Gentleman will be so good as to give me the instance which he has in mind, I will have inquiries made.