§ 19. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Secretary of State, for War whether, apart from the clerical staff, journalists employed in the Information Section of the War Office are ex-service men?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSTwo journalists are employed in the Information Section of the War Office; neither is an ex-service man, one being over military age, and the other in medical category C3 and in an exempted occupation.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWhy have not the definite recommendations of the Committee on Substitution been carried out? Are there not plenty of ex-service men, qualified journalists, who ought, above all others, to have these jobs in the War Office?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI feel very strongly in sympathy with the general proposition which my hon. and gallant Friend lays down, but one of these journalists is over age, and was over age during the War. He has done good service and, obviously, it is not fair to turn him out because he was over age. The other is in medical category C3, and was in an exempted occupation.
§ Colonel ASHLEYThen what is the use of the recommendations of the Committee?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe recommendations, as far as the War Office are concerned, are observed with the greatest care.
§ Major Sir B. FALLEWhat does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "over age"?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSOver military age.
§ Sir B. FALLEIs that over 56?