§ 19. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that, whereas formerly British Civil Service ex-service men were first in order of preference for absorption into the permanent staff and were the last for dismissal, these conditions are changed, and that in the Irish Free State ex-members of the national forces are the first for absorption and the last for dismissal; and whether he can afford some relief to the position of temporary and ex-temporary civil servants either by compensation or by opportunities which have hitherto been denied them of re-entering the British service?
§ improvement which is substantial, even as measured by the hon. Baronet.
§ Mr. RENNIE SMITHHave any British manufacturers been invited to co-operate in the reconstruction of China?
§ Following is the answer:
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI have been asked to reply to this question. The points raised in my hon. and gallant Friend's question are dealt with in the Report on the condition of ex-service men in the Irish Free State which has recently been received from the Irish Free State Government and I would invite reference to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on the 11th February to my Noble Friend the Member for Shrewsbury in which he indicated that the points raised in the Report, in which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are concerned, will receive consideration. My right hon. Friend asks me, however, to say that serious difficulties are likely to be found in the way of the adoption of either of the measures referred to in the question.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs my right hon. Friend aware of the very difficult position of these unfortunate people, and will his Department really take that seriously into account and devise something as soon as possible?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREMy hon. Friend knows that I am not "aware" and that my Department is not concerned, but I will convey his supplementary question to the Department that is concerned.