43. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary to the Treasury if arrangements have been made for temporary staffs in Government Departments to receive additional annual leave during 1919, according to the period of service; if the Treasury have stipulated that service with the Colours shall not be regarded as equivalent to service in a Government Department for tins purpose; and if he will state on what grounds temporary officers who have served in the War are prejudiced in regard to their leave allowance com pared with men who have remained at home?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. The ex-soldier receives, on demobilisation, substantial benefit in respect of the period of military service, and this period cannot be taken into account again in assessing his privileges in. respect of a civil post to which he is subsequently appointed.
Sir F. HALLWill it lead to the ex-soldiers being given leave on as generous a scale as men on the temporary staff?