§ 34. Mr. GILBERTasked the Secretary of State for War why men who voluntarily enlisted for the period of the War and six months after in 1914 and 1915 as Army pay clerks, and who were medically certified in Class C 2 and were to receive rates of pay of 4s. and 3s, 6d. per day, are now being called upon, under Army Order No. 1915 of this year, to accept payment of 1s. 8d. per day or to leave the Army and join Army Reserve W.; will he explain why a contract for payment of the above wages entered into with these men is not kept for the period for which they joined the Army; and will he state, if these men join Army Reserve W, whether they will be liable to be called up at any time to do the same class of work at the lower rate of pay of 1s. 8d. per day?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe men referred to (who were enlisted at special rates of pay) 1408 were enlisted as fit for clerical duties overseas. The present arrangement applies only to those men who are found to be permanently unfit for service overseas. Such men, if transferred to Class P, or W., P. (T.), or W. (T.), of the Reserve by substitution, will not be recalled to the Colours so long as they remain in their employment—not necessarily with the same employer. If transferred to any of the above Reserves without substitution being effected, such men will be liable to recall to the Colours at any time should the exigencies of the Service so demand.