§ 26. Mr. WATTasked the Minister of Munitions whether his Department has in its employment in the West of Scotland many inspectors of munitions who cannot accurately be described as skilled men seeing that many of them had been employed before engagement by the Department in trades other than the metal trade; whether several of these men have been declared by the War Office fit for general service but are being kept back by his Department; and whether, in view of the fact that so many ex-soldiers are capable of doing this inspection work, he will review his decision?
§ The MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Dr. Addison)There are a certain number of inspectors (called "examiners") who were engaged for inspection work during the War, who have now become skilled in the work of the department, though not "skilled" in the sense that they were mechanics in the metal trades. A considerable number of examiners have already been released for military service on replacement by men without military obligations or by women, and it is hoped in due course to release practically all who have been declared fit for general service. Any application from suitable ex-soldiers for employment in this way will be willingly considered.