§ Mr. R. Morganasked the Under-Secretary of State for War why, when Mr. F. J. Ansell, aged 39, who was a temporary civilian clerk in a record office of the War Office, received his calling-up papers from the Ministry of Labour, officials of the War Office intervened to secure the cancellation of these papers and transferred him to another record office as an assistant records officer where he served in a civilian capacity pending the issue of his commission; and why, as this man had little or no previous experience of records work, he has now been put in charge of a staff of experienced civilians numbering approximately 40 although he did not enlist as a private, did not pass through an officers cadet training unit, and had no previous military service in the 1914–18 war?
§ Mr. SandysSo far as I have been able in the time available to ascertain the facts, they do not appear to accord in essential points with those given by my hon. Friend. But I am calling for a full report and will communicate with him as soon as possible.