§ 45. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Prime Minister, whether he can now give an assurance that the claim of ex-officers and men who are holding temporary positions as Civil servants in the various Government Departments will be considered before those of other temporary Civil servants upon demobilisation?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is the policy of His Majesty's Government to give the preference asked for in my hon. and gallant Friend's question.
§ Colonel ASHLEYHow many of the Departments have agreed to that?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is the policy of the Government, and applies to all Departments as far as this Government is concerned.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI must have notice of that question.
§ 49. Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the Prime Minister whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken to ensure that when demobilisation of the forces commences it is carried out on a co-ordinated plan, subscribed to by all Departments concerned; and whether employers and labour organisations are to be taken into consultation in drawing up this plan and putting it into operation?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWPlans have been drawn up by the Army Demobilisation Committee, in conjunction with all the Departments concerned, and are kept up to date by the Inter-Departmental Coordination Committee, The general plans for demobilisation have also been revised by the Labour Resettlement Committee, which meets under the presidency of the Minister of Labour, and is representative of employers and employés as well as of the Government Departments concerned.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLThe reply of the right hon. Gentleman does not suggest any definite plan of co-ordination for demobilisation. If that be so, will he arrange for some definite scheme?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI wonder what my hon. Friend thinks the Committee is there for? Does he expect me, in answer to a question, to give all the details that are being arranged?