§ 38. Major COHENasked the Prime Minister whether Sergeant G. Payne, No. 2,646,487, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, a Reservist called up during the recent emergency, has been thrown out of employment by his firm, Messrs. Thomas Tillings, Limited, road transport contractors, Peckham, S.E., on account of his being unable to continue at his work for a period owing to having been mobilised for Army service; whether many employers have dealt in a similar manner with Army Reservists; and, seeing that such a course of action is both prejudicial to the national interest, inasmuch as the Reserve was mobilised for the preservation of public order, and unfair to the individual Reservists who responded to the call, what action he proposes to take to have Sergeant Payne reinstated in his former position?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The facts were as stated in the first part of the question, but when they were brought to my notice, I asked the chairman of the directors of Messrs. Thomas Tilling, Limited, to see me. He told me that this non-commissioned officer was engaged as a "mate" on a Foden steam wagon and that, owing to the coal strike, all Foden steam wagons are at present off the road. The chairman of the company has, however, promised me that when the wagons are again used, this non-commissioned officer will be the first to be reinstated. I am glad that this case is satisfactorily settled, and I will undertake to inquire into any other case to which my attention may be called, and to take such action as is possible. I know of no other case at present. The response of the Army Reserve on the present occasion was as prompt and universal as it always has been. The cases of failure to report were in- 866 finitesimal in number, and I am glad to bear grateful testimony to the patriotism of these tried soldiers, who came forward to undertake, if necessary, the duty of preserving public order.