§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at the pay office No. 1 at Hounslow wounded soldiers are being dismissed and women retained; and whether it is the policy of the Government that wherever possible wounded soldiers should be retained in the public service?
§ Mr. FORSTERIn the course of the reduction of staffs now in progress some ex-soldiers who were specially taken on to meet the temporary pressure of demobilisation are being discharged, as well as larger numbers of women. Many women clerks are serving under special arrangements extending beyond the termination of the War, and the retention of highly-trained personnel is essential to the efficiency of the pay offices. Subject to these considerations, preference is given to ex-soldiers in determining retention.