§ 74. Mr. GROVESasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will explain the reason for the delay in the fixing of civilian clerical complements for the Army Ordnance services; whether he is aware that the official explanation for the delay was that the question was more or less bound up with the fixing of military complements for these depots and the corps generally; whether he is also aware that the military complements were fixed as early as September, 1925, and that the civilian complements are not yet avail- 2200 able; and whether he will give instructions for the issue of these figures without further delay?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Captain Douglas King)It was necessary to settle the military establishments of the various Ordnance Depots before the civilian complement could be fixed in each case. But this is only a part, and by no means the most difficult part, of the investigation necessary before the new scheme of reorganisation of clerical gradings can he applied. I am assured that the work is proceeding as rapidly as possible. When the re-grading has been completed, effect will be given to the new scales of pay as from the 1st April of last year.