HC Deb 03 March 1915 vol 70 cc781-2
23 and 24. Colonel YATE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, considering that officers of the Customs and Excise Department have had to resign their posts and be struck off the establishment in order to be able to enlist in the Army or Navy for the duration of the War, steps will be taken to ensure that such officers shall be eligible for reinstatement in their appointments on their return from naval or military service; and (2) if the pressure on the Customs and Excise Department has now been so far reduced as to permit of officers of that Department desirous of enlisting in the Army or Navy for the duration of the War to do so; and whether the posts of any such officers enlisting will be kept open for them until their return from naval or military service?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Some 900 members of the Customs and Excise service are serving with the Colours, but so much War work has devolved on the Department that the Board have reluctantly been obliged to announce to the service that no further permission to enlist could be given. In taking this action the Board had the entire approval of the War Office. The pressure of this War work, so far from decreasing, is steadily growing, so that it is less possible than before to spare any more men. The posts of all members of the service who are with the Board's permission serving with the Colours will be kept open for them; but it would not be possible to promise similar treatment to those who have enlisted without permission, nor would it be fair to those of their colleagues—and there are many— who have at the sacrifice of their personal patriotic desires continued to perform their civilian duties.

Mr. CHARLES DUNCAN

May I ask whether consideration will be given to men who enlisted without permission when they return from the front?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I fear it would be impossible to give any such undertaking in the case of officials enlisting without permission whose services in their civil capacity are absolutely essential for war work.

Colonel YATE

May I ask if it is not possible to get old retired pensioners to come in and do the work and so enable the young men to go?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I think it is very likely that that has been done, but I will look into the matter.