§ 24. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Minister of Labour the reason why discharged soldiers, some of whom have families to maintain, are being discharged from the Navy and Army canteens, Royal Air Force camps, Kidbrooke, in favour of women from eighteen to twenty-five years of age; whether the work is suitable for women; whether the discharged soldiers who are being dispensed with will be thrown upon the country's unemployment fund; and whether he will use his influence to get such discharges cancelled in the interests of the ex-soldiers and of national economy?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have been asked to reply to this question. I am informed that on the recommendation of the Officer Commanding, Kidbrooke Camp, four male employés of the Navy and Army Canteen Board are being replaced by women, for whom the work is considered entirely suitable. The men were civilians, and not ex-soldiers. The manager, who is a discharged soldier, is being retained. The latter part of the question, therefore, does, not arise.