HC Deb 18 July 1950 vol 477 cc2015-6
18. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for War what change has occurred in the policy of using National Service men to perform duties previously performed by civil servants in Army Pay Offices; how many National Service men are still so employed; and to what medical categories is this employment limited.

Mr. Strachey

There has been no change in the policy which I defined on 18th April. National Service men employed in Army Pay Offices are not limited to any particular medical categories. It is not the practice to make public the numbers of soldiers engaged in particular duties.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does that mean that National Service men of the highest category are still being used to replace civil servants in these purely sedentary duties?

Mr. Strachey

Not necessarily. It means that, in the opinion of myself and my advisers, it is necessary to build up an Army Pay Corps partly from National Service men, so that trained men are available against an emergency to man this Corps which has to be expanded very rapidly.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In view of the fact that, in war, men of high medical category are nor employed on these duties, what is the point in instructing National Service men in such duties in time of peace?

Mr. Strachey

I am not saying that men of high medical category are being used for these duties. but if the hon. Member likes tc put down a question I will answer it. It does seem necessary, however, that National Service men should be used in this capacity.

Mr. Chetwynd

Where National Service men have tc be used, will my right hon. Friend see that as many as possible come from the lower grades?

Mr. Strachey

Certainly.