HC Deb 13 February 1917 vol 90 cc424-5
28. Mr. JONATHAN SAMUEL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that men discharged from the Army and transferred to Army Reserve (W) are sent home without any financial support; and, seeing that many of these men are physically unfit to do any work, will he undertake to see that these men are maintained until they are fit and work found for them?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring.

Mr. SAMUEL

Is the hon. Member aware that the treatment of these men is causing grave dissatisfaction in the North of England, and will he undertake to see that these men are not cast upon charity?

Mr. FORSTER

I cannot help thinking that some of these men may have been passed into the W Reserve improperly. It is not intended for unfit men, but for men fit to go to the work for which they have been passed into the Reserve. I have asked the hon. Member for Hough-ion-le-Spring (Mr. Wing) to give me instances to inquire into, and if I find this class is being improperly used I will put an end to it.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Can the hon. Member say whether any men admittedly entitled to a pension if discharged are sent to Army munitions work without any Army pay or pension?

Mr. FORSTER

No, I do not think so; but there have been cases where men have been passed into the W Reserve who have had a relapse through sickness or something of the kind. In these cases we restore their military status, and take them into military hospitals, and the families draw separation allowances.

Mr. HOGGE

Is the hon. Member aware that these men do not receive separation allowances, and employers will not take them into their service on account of the risk they run. The men cannot get their discharge except from the medical boards, many of whom are not competent?

Mr. FORSTER

Men are taken into the W Reserve in order to go to employment which is waiting for them.

Mr. PRINGLE

Are any steps taken to see that employment is available for these men when they are passed into the Reserve?

Mr. FORSTER

That is what the Reserve was created for.