§ 51. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, according to the General Report of the Public Trustee just issued, forty-nine married and twenty-two unmarried men of military age are still available for active service; and can he say, seeing that the men on the staff of the Public Trustee's Department are exceptionally young, whether arrangements will be made to replace the men available for active service by men of non-military age or by women?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. McKinnon Wood)Of the eligible staff of the Public Trustee Department 58 per cent, have already been released for active service, and 423 women are employed (out of a total staff of 650). The Department has undertaken a large amount of war work in connection with the enactments dealing with trading with the enemy, and in addition the ordinary business of the Department has increased 1673 greatly. In these circumstances it is not considered possible to release any further trained officers at present, but the matter is kept under constant consideration.
§ Mr. R. McNEILLMay I take it from the answer that the figures actually given in the question are correct?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODI have no reason to doubt that they are.