20. Mr. BARLOWasked whether a large number of trained soldiers who were also skilled mechanics were combed out of the service battalions of the New Army when under orders for the front so that they might be sent back to munition work; whether many of them were sent not to munition works but to depots or training camps; and whether he can say how many of such trained soldiers are still detained at depots or training camps and have never been utilised for munition work at all?
§ Mr. TENNANTDuring last year large numbers of mechanics who had enlisted and were in training as soldiers were placed at the disposal of the Ministry of Munitions. A proportion of these were rejected as insufficiently skilled. They were returned to military duty. The remainder are now either working in 16 munitions factories or have been returned to military duty. The actual numbers still to be dealt with are small. During the period that the Ministry of Munitions has been engaged in placing these men they have been housed in depots and camps as accommodation was available.
Mr. BARLOWWill the right hon. Gentleman allow me to give him an instance, privately, where men are retained at the depots and it is not known whether they are in service or not?