§ 74. Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his Department advertised for a legal assistant in the Lands Directorate of the War Office Who should have a general knowledge of law and practice, experience in the handling of cases, and knowledge of bookkeeping; whether 110 applicants desired to fill this post; whether his Department chose out of these one who was admitted a solicitor in December, 1917; and will he say whether this successful applicant is of military age?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAs regards the first two parts of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer to my reply to a question which he asked on the 25th April last. The gentleman selected was admitted a solicitor in December, 1917, having qualified in 1915 and had ten years' experience in legal work. He is of military age, but his medical category is C 3.
§ Mr. WATTIs it the policy of the right hon. Gentleman to appoint men of military age at the War Office?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am informed that this man is absolutely useless for military duty. He is C 3.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAre we to understand that he had had sufficient legal experience for this post?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONHe was only admitted as a solicitor pro forma in 1917, but he has had ten years' experience of legal work.