§ 23. Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOAREasked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, how many civilians and ex-service men, respectively, have been dismissed from the maintenance branch of the building department of the Office of Works during the last three months and whether, in all cases of dismissal, ex-service men have been given preferential treatment over civilians?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir JOHN GILMOUR (for the First Commissioner of Works)All labour required for work on the maintenance branch of the building department is supplied by the Board's maintenance contractor as and when required, and the First Commissioner is unable to supply the figures asked for, as it does not necessarily follow that a man is dismissed by the contractor because he is not at the moment required on the Board's work. The maintenance contractor, however, is on the King's Roll and employs a very high percentage of disabled and ex-service men.