HC Deb 23 February 1916 vol 80 cc675-6
14. Sir J. LONSDALE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many men in the Army Pay Department are fit for combatant service; and if it is intended to transfer all such men to other units for active service and replace them by men who are incapacitated for the fighting Services?

23. Major HUNT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there are women and also able-bodied men of military age now employed in the Army Pay Office; and whether there are many wounded and disabled soldiers capable of doing this clerical work; and, if so, could the able-bodied men be taken into the Army and the women employed in munitions works, so that the disabled soldiers could find employment?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)

There are a certain number of able-bodied men of military age employed in Army Pay Offices, though I cannot give the exact number. There are also large numbers of women. If the hon. Members have followed the history of the expansion of these offices and the public anxiety as to the discharge of their duties to the wives and dependants of soldiers they will appreciate the impossibility of dispensing, otherwise than gradually, with the better-trained portion of the staff. Subject to this, everything is done to spare able-bodied men from pay offices. I have no reason to think that disabled soldiers qualified for the work of these offices are finding any difficulty in securing employment.

Major HUNT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Great Western Railway War Relief Committee represents a thousand men, that a quarter of the men have gone to the War; is he also aware that a considerable number of women and able-bodied men are employed there, and that naturally the Committee and the men are very anxious about the matter, as at the present time things are very unsatisfactory?

Mr. FORSTER

Well, I hope my hon. and gallant Friend will believe me when I assure him that we are doing all we can, and so long as I have anything to do with the War Office it will continue to be done, in regard to our soldiers.