HC Deb 04 March 1919 vol 113 cc199-200
60. Mr. JOHN DAVISON

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether men of category C 3 are still retained in the Army; whether such men would be rendering greater service, and save expense to the Exchequer, if they were at once demobilised; and whether he can see his way to direct the immediate demobilisation of all C 3 men?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, unless the men are eligible for demobilisation, but I may add that only such as are fully employed in the Army are being retained. I regret I cannot accede to my hon. Friend's proposal contained in the third part of the question, as many C 3 men are employed in administrative services, and their immediate demobilisation would lead to considerable dislocation.

Mr. DAVISON

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that those men who have a position to return to in civil life will be demobilised?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, Sir. If they are needed for the purposes of demobilisation they will have to be retained during the period while this great strain is going on. If they are included within the retained categories they will have to be retained in. those categories even if they are C 3 men, assuming that they are capable of doing the work for which they are employed.

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