§ 18. Colonel McCALMONTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of civilians employed under the Canteen Board in Ireland who have never served in the armed forces of the Crown, and how many of these are of military age; whether there have been a number of applications from ex-Service men for these appointments; and whether men of military age who have never served will be replaced forthwith wherever ex-Service men are available and qualified?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe total number of men employed by the Navy and Army Canteen Board in Ireland who are between the ages of eighteen and fifty-one is 919. This number includes ex-Service men and unfit. Owing to the fact that there is no compulsory medical examination in Ireland, it is impossible to state what proportion would have been fit for military service. Arrangements have 2481 been made whereby ex-Service men who are available and qualified are given employment in preference to any others.