HC Deb 17 October 1916 vol 86 cc358-9
82. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the proposed substitution of less fit men now in the Army for more fit men now in civil employment is to apply to skilled badged workmen; whether the men so returned to industry will continue to be soldiers and liable to be returned to the Army at any time; and under whose direction this new policy will be carried out?

Mr. FORSTER

The scheme at present only applies to unskilled badged men under thirty. The men returned to civil life will remain in the Army Reserve. The general direction of the policy will, under present arrangements, be subject to any instructions issued by the Man-Power Distribution Board.

83. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at the conference arranged by the military authorities with employers of labour at the Town Hall, Wokingham, to consider the substitution of men more fit for military service by the return to civil employment of men less fit for military service, Major Bartram said he was in a position to give employers a guarantee that any workman sent to them under the new conditions was liable to be returned to the Colours at any time if he displeased his employers; and whether the War Office have authorised such a statement to be made?

Mr. FORSTER

I cannot give my hon. Friend an answer to-day, as inquiry is being made and is not yet complete. In the meantime perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough not to take me as assenting to the accuracy of what is stated in the question.

Mr. ANDERSON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that other military officers have addressed similar meetings and said exactly the same thing; Colonel Lewis, speaking in the Isle of Wight, said they were returning unfit men in Class W to their employers, and, if there were any hanky-panky on the workmen's part, the military would tell them to come back to military service and give the employer another man. Are statements of this kind made with the authority of the War Office, and who is to decide whether the workman has been guilty of a wrong action. Is it going to rest entirely with the employers, and, if so, is the man going to be sent back to the Army?

Mr. FORSTER

I must ask for notice of that question.