HC Deb 12 February 1929 vol 225 cc197-8
10. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that for the last nine years the Roads and Communications Department, Royal Engineers, Southern Command, has undertaken the making and maintenance of its own roads and parades, 300 ex-soldiers being employed on this work, for which expensive machinery, steam-rollers, lorries, etc., have been purchased; that this work is now to be let out to private contractors, the plant and machinery sold for what it will fetch, and the 300 ex-soldiers dismissed as from 30th March next; and if so, whether he will cause this matter to be reconsidered?

13. Mr. GARDNER

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether it has been decided to close down the Roads and Communications Department in the Southern Command as from 31st March next; if so, whether this means that the work which is now done by direct labour will be given out to contract; and whether he will state the reason for this change of policy?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)

The work for which the Roads and Communications Organisation in the Southern Command was primarily maintained was the reinstatement of camp sites, the salvage of stone from temporary war roads and the disposal of surplus material. This work is now complete and it would not be justifiable on either administrative or financial grounds to continue a special organisation to look after War Department roads in the Southern Command. The roads work will therefore in future be carried out by contract as occasion requires, but every endeavour will be made when a contract is placed to arrange with the contractors to give a preference to men previously employed by the War Department.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is all that the Minister for War proposes to do for these 300 ex-soldiers to express the hope that the contractor will engage some of them?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

I cannot go on employing them if there is no work to be done. The roadwork will be done in the future by contractors and the most I can do is to provide in the contracts that these men shall get a preference in new work.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Why should this work of repairing military roads have been turned over to contractors at all?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

Because it is the common practice that this work should be done by contractors.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

What is the reason for this? Is it done on financial grounds?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

That was not my answer. I said that there is no justification on financial grounds for maintaining this organisation, seeing that the work for which it was created has been completed except as far as roads are concerned, and these are being done by contract.

Mr. PALING

Would it not have been in accordance with the terms of the Prime Minister's letter if he had done his best to continue this work?