§ 15. Mr. HOGGEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a circular, dated 3rd November, has been issued by the regimental paymaster at Nottingham to temporary employés, paragraph (b) of which says that, in the process of reducing war staff, it may be necessary in the interests of the public service to discharge them while undisabled employés are retained; and whether he is prepared to give an undertaking that discharged men shall not be discharged prior to all others who have not served?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, Sir; the circular was issued in accordance with general instructions on the subject of the substitution of disabled ex-Service men for other employés in Government Departments. In the reduction of the staff of Army Pay Offices discharged men are given the preference of retention provided that the efficiency of the office is maintained. It is essential that there shall be no failure in the proper payment of soldiers on demobilisation.
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, that is so.