59. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Ian Fraserasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, when ex-Servicemen from the 1914–18 war become redundant in one Department of State, he will, by setting up a substitution board or otherwise, ensure them a preference for vacancies in other Departments.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallNo, Sir. Arrangements already exist for transferring redundant staff from one Department to another wherever possible.
§ Sir I. FraserDoes the hon. Gentleman's answer "No, Sir" imply that he is not going to give a preference to those men for continuous employment? Is that what he meant?
§ Mr. HallNo, Sir. Ex-Servicemen, with others who are redundant, are transferred where that is possible.
§ Sir I. FraserDo they get a preference?
§ 60. Sir I. Fraserasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, in view of the fact that temporary service in the Civil Service is allowed to count at half rate for pension in case of civilians, he will apply the same rule to ex-Service men of the last war.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallI regret that I cannot see my way to re-open this question.
§ Sir I. FraserWhy the differentiation between ex-Service men, who do not get their service counted, and persons, mainly civilians, who after a certain date do?
§ Mr. HallI am afraid I cannot accept what the hon. and gallant Member says. This is an old story. It goes back to the last war. We have had numerous inquiries and commissions which have dealt with this. It is impossible at this stage to reopen the whole question.