§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Pensions Minister whether men who have not served in the forces during the War were recently appointed secretaries of the Buxton, Bala, Corwen, and Sacriston Local War Pensions Committees, and that ladies have been appointed as secretaries of the Romsey and Wycombe and chief clerk to the Ilkeston War Pensions Committees; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation, if necessary, to ensure that all vacancies under the local war pensions committees shall in future be given to ex-Service men and their dependants?
§ Sir J. CRAIGNo appointment has, so far, been made in the case of Buxton Local War Pensions Committee. In the case of Bala and Corwen Sub-committee, arrangements have recently been made for the secretaryship to be filled by an ex-Service man. The Sacriston secretaryship is a part-time appointment carrying a very 987W small salary; it was offered to an ex-Service man, who, however, declined it as the remuneration was considered insufficient. Instructions have already been given for the appointment at Romsey to be terminated. The lady secretary at Wycombe has held the appointment for nineteen months, but an ex-Service man will shortly take up the appointment of assistant secretary and, it is hoped, may qualify for a higher position. The appointment at Ilkeston is not one which requires my right hon. Friend's approval. On the latter part of the question, I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for East Bedford on 8th May, of which I am sending him a copy.