§ 86. Sir K. WOODasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a number of competent ex-service men in the Civil Service are under notice to leave during March; and whether he is making any effort to retain these men pending the Report of the Southborough Committee?
Mr. GRAHAMI would refer to the answer which I gave on the 6th March to the hon. and gallant Member for Chertsey and the hon. and gallant Member for Central Nottingham.
§ Sir K. WOODIs the hon. Gentleman going to make a definite statement on the matter and to say what is to happen to these men?
Mr. GRAHAMI have received many deputations on the matter. The position is that the work is coming to an end, and we cannot take on staff when there is no longer work for them. We are doing everything we can to find employment for these men.
§ Captain TERRELLWill the hon. Gentleman issue instructions so that preference will be given to the employment of ex-service men in the Civil Service over and above the employment of conscientious objectors?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer informed me two days ago that the Southborough Committee was at present sitting, whether he was not wrong in that statement, and whether my information is not correct, that it has not been even re-constituted with a view to sitting, and would he care to make 2521 another statement which would remove an answer which has caused considerable astonishment?
§ Captain TERRELLOn a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I have a reply to my question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member repeatedly asks the same question.
§ Captain TERRELLOn a point of Order. Why should conscientious objectors be employed? There are some of them on the Front Bench.