§ 20. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Secretary of State for War, the object and purpose of the proposed card catalogue in the premises of the National Liberal Club; whether it is proposed to use the cards for the purpose of supplying labour after the War to employers in the various towns, and, if so, under what arrangements for safeguarding the standard rates of wages; whether this is to be in substitution for the former proposal that each man's form should be sent a month before his discharge, to the town to which he elects to proceed; and whether it is proposed to have any joint committee of employers and employed to supervise the use of the card catalogue as conceded in the Advisory Committee of the Labour Exchanges?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe card index of men is a portion of the machinery which the War Office employs in maintaining information and control with regard to the men now in the Army and to those who may become available for service in the Army. It exists solely for military purposes and it is not proposed to use the cards in any way whatever which would conflict with any of the former proposals with regard to the distribution of forms for the men.
§ Mr. HOGGECan my right hon. Friend say how much it has cost the War Office to take over the National Liberal Club?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think my hon. Friend had better address that question to the Office of Works.