§ Sir G. COLLINSasked the Secretary of State for War whether men discharged from the Army prior to 4th August, 1914, are classed as civilians; and, if so, will he take steps to have these men placed on the same footing as soldiers who have been discharged since 1914 by classifying them as ex-service men?
§ Sir R. SANDERSAssuming that my hon. Friend is referring to the order of discharge of civilian staffs of War Department offices, the answer is that (subject to certain conditions as to length of service, etc.) men discharged from the Forces before 4th August, 1914, are in that respect granted the same preferential treatment as is accorded to men whose service with the Forces was rendered during the late War. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.