§ 20. Mr. DENMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether in the process of demobilisation priority will be given to those men whose civil positions have been kept open for them; if so, whether employers should make any application; and whether any priority will be given to volunteers over conscripts?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONProvision has been made in the demobilisation scheme that those men whose civil positions have been kept open for them shall receive priority of release within their several industrial groups. Instructions will be issued in due course, but no application should be made by employers until public notification is given. While it is not proposed to differentiate between volunteers and conscripts as such, the object aimed at will be achieved by including in early drafts a certain proportion of those men who have served longest in a theatre of active operations.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLCan the right hon. Gentleman state when these particulars or instructions will be issued?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am trying to issue them as soon as possible, but I cannot name the date.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI dealt with distant theatres in the last part of my answer. I am hopeful that those men who have borne the heat of the day in a climate like that will be released as early as possible.
Sir M. BARLOWCan special priority be given to the staffs of local authorities, in view of the possible forthcoming election?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not think so.