§ 33. Mr. THOMASasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the workers are disturbed at the practice of allowing soldiers to be employed under military discipline on public work or civilian work of any kind, and, moreover, that the soldiers themselves resent it; and whether he will consider the practicability of allowing the temporary release with full civilian rights to any soldier whilst employed on civilian work?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is hoped shortly to be able to arrange for soldiers now employed as military working parties on civil work, who are not for the time being required in the Army, to be passed to the Reserve. There will then be only a limited number who cannot be passed to the Reserve who will still be available to meet demands of a temporary nature where civilian labour is unobtainable. These men must retain their military status, as the civil employment forms only an incident in their service.
§ Mr. FORSTERYes; when they are working under military officers they are under military discipline.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIf a man is released from the Army and not passed 936 into the Reserve, but released to engage in some kind of civil employment, is he under military discipline?