§ 36. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are many men in the Army Pay Corps who have permanent civil employment waiting for them, but are being retained in. the Army on the ground that they are indispensable; and whether, in view of the fact that in some cases this work is being done by discharged soldiers, he will consider the possibility of extending this and employing in the Army Pay Corps discharged soldiers who are out of employment, and thus be able to release the men who have civil employment waiting for them?
§ Mr. FORSTERMen of the Army Pay Corps, with many other classes of soldiers, are not entitled to be demobilised until the progress made with demobilisation of the Army generally admits of their release without detriment to the efficiency of the public service. My hon. Friend will appreciate the impossibility of a general release of trained clerks at the time when the Pay Department is strained to the utmost in settling the accounts of the men leaving the Army. Subject to these considerations, everything possible has been and is being done to release individuals, and, where necessary, suitable ex-soldiers are employed in their stead.