§ 12. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state in what capacities Mr. S. H. Schneider and Mr. F. C. Bovenschen are now employed at the War Office; and in what particular respects these gentlemen are indispensable; and whether he will make special inquiries to ascertain whether their places could be taken by wounded officers who have served at the front?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONBoth these gentlemen are employed in civil administrative positions calling for the display of capacities which can only be acquired by long War Office training such as they have had. As has been already said by my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Service, a special Committee appointed for the purpose of inquiring into such cases have approved the retention of Mr. Bovenschen and Mr. Schneider, and I am not prepared to reopen the question.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWhen did that special Committee report, and can the right hon. Gentleman tell us in what sense these gentlemen were indispensable?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThis Committee reported some time ago, and my right hon. Friend the Minister for National Service stated in the House that they came to the conclusion—and they were altogether apart from the War Office—that the work these men were doing was indispensable.
§ Mr. HOUSTONDoes my right hon. Friend suggest that no British-born subject was capable of doing these men's work?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONBoth these gentlemen are British born, and I should like to point out that they have great experience. One is a double first class, and he has been for many years in a responsible position in the War Office. It is true their names are an impediment, but there it is.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERAre there no wounded officers who have come back from the front, who could take the places of these civilian gentlemen?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not think that any wounded officers back from the front could possibly have the experience of these two men, who have been doing most admirable work for years at the War Office.
Sir H. DALZIELCan my right hon. Friend say, as a result of the Committee to which he has referred, if there have been any resignations from the War Office?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot say, because I have no information, but if my right hon. Friend will put down a question—
§ Mr. R. McNEILLIs this Committee presided over by Mr. Justice Bankes?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIt is a Committee to consider the indispensability of certain members on the civil administration side of the War Office. These two men were considered. I understand one of the names will be considered by the Bankes' Committee.
§ Mr. HOUSTONWhat is the nature of the work these two gentlemen are performing?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot say offhand what work they are engaged in. I know Mr. Bovenschen is at the head of one of our most difficult finance branches, and I can personally say no man could perform the work he is doing with greater ability.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWhich case is coming under the consideration of Mr. Justice Bankes' Committee?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think it is that of Mr. Bovenschen.