§ Mr. WARDLEasked the Secretary of State for War whether Wheatstone operators are needed in the Signal Section, Royal Engineers, for service abroad; whether he is aware that a number of qualified men are attached to Territorial signal units scheduled for Home defence, and that these men have passed through the training centres but are now occupying most of their time in grooming horses or sanitary fatigues; and whether, in view of the fact that they would welcome active service, steps can be taken to transfer them to where their' skill may be of national use?
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§ Mr. FORSTERTelegraph operators experienced in Wheatstone working are employed abroad on this special work as far as they are required, but it is impossible to arrange that ail men with this experience will be so employed. In any case operators are not exempt from the ordinary routine work and fatigues in units. All men fit for general service are liable for services abroad, and such men are not kept in units scheduled for Home defence.