HC Deb 06 December 1927 vol 211 cc1164-5
31. Sir F. HALL

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the men of Section A of the Army Reserve who were called away from civil employment for service in China, and are now returning home and have no jobs to go to, will be retained on the Army strength in some capacity until they can obtain employment?

Commodore KING

I regret that it is not possible to give effect to the suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend.

Sir F. HALL

Does that mean that these men who have been taken out of employment to go to China, when they come back, are to all intents and purposes in many cases, to be thrown upon the scrap-heap?

Commodore KING

I think my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that it would be impossible for us to hold either those Reservists or the men leaving the Colours until such time as they obtain employment. We do our best to obtain employment for them, but we cannot hold them.

Sir F. HALL

Surely you can keep them a little longer in the Army at this period. You appoint 32 officers in the Army to distribute 28,000 medals in sis months, and why cannot you do something for these men?

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