HC Deb 20 February 1917 vol 90 cc1138-9
4. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of men transferred to C W and to C W (T) Reserve since 30th August, 1916?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I am afraid that this information is not available in the War Office.

5. Mr. HOGGE

asked the number of miners who have been transferred to C P or C P (T) Class since 30th August, 1916?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Classes P and P (T) of the Reserve were formed on 10th October. I am afraid that there are no figures available in the War Office to show how many miners have been transferred since the formation.

Mr. HOGGE

Are there statistics to show how many men have been transferred to Class C W?

Mr. MACPHERSON

What I said was that the figures were not available at the War Office.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of the War Office procuring those figures?

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Can the hon. Gentleman state what men are included in P Reserve?

Mr. MACPHERSON

That is a very difficult subject, and if the hon. Gentleman will put down a question I will endeavour to answer it.

Mr. HOGGE

Are not the men of C W Reserve for the purpose of providing substitutes, and is there no statistical record of the number of men available for substitution purposes?

Mr. MACPHERSON

There may be statistics available, but I am informed that they are not available at the present time in the War Office, and, as the hon. Gentleman will realise, statistics of that kind would require a great deal of search.

Captain A. SMITH

May I ask whether the substitution altogether is an absolute failure?

Mr. MACPHERSON

That question does not arise.