HC Deb 25 April 1917 vol 92 cc2397-8
78. Colonel YATE

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service if his attention has been called to the offer of services by retired Government officials having been taken no-notice of by the Government Departments concerned beyond a bare acknowledgment of receipt; whether he can state how many retired Government officials have offered their services to relieve younger men fit for military service, and how many of these offers have been accepted; and whether he will now invite offers from all retired officials of the Home, Indian, and Colonial services to take up work in Government Departments so as to set free for military service all Government officials of military age fit for general service?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Bridgeman)

My hon. Friend has asked me to take this question, as the offer of services of retired Government officials-who have enrolled as National Service Volunteers are dealt with by the Professional and Business Register of the Ministry of Labour. In order that the services of these retired Government officials and professional men not of military age may be utilised to relieve younger men fit for military service the Professional and Business Register has-recently addressed a letter to all Government Departments, drawing their attention to the fact that National Service Volunteers of administrative and business experience are available who can be submitted to relieve younger men fit for military service at present working in those Departments. It is not at present possible to state the result of this action, nor is it possible to state Bow many ex-officials have been engaged by Government Departments as a result of direct application. In view of the steps which I have outlined, it is not deemed necessary to take the action indicated in the last-part of the question.

Sir H. CRAIK

Has this been decided by going only to the heads of the Department, with no appeal, and is there a possibility of releasing some of these men, if the matter were referred to the Committee?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

The decision does not rest with this Department.