§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Secretary of State for War how many serving soldiers are at present employed in boot repairing; and whether this work could be done by disabled men who have been trained, thereby not only finding employ- 57W ment for a number of disabled men, but also relieving a corresponding number of fit soldiers for military work?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA sergeant-shoemaker is employed in each battalion of Infantry, and, where available, military shoemakers are allowed in all units in the proportion of four per 1,000 men. It is not possible to give the total number of men employed in Army shoemakers' shops. Shoemakers accompany their units on service and to foreign stations, and those employed in regimental shops are also trained soldiers available to take their places in the ranks when required. It is, therefore, essential that they should be physically fit, and I regret that my hon. Friend's suggestion is not practicable.