HC Deb 18 May 1916 vol 82 cc1654-5W
Mr. NIELD

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any arrangement has been come to with the military authorities for the allocation of men to be called up under the Military Service Acts whereby, while the younger men are drafted into the Army, the older ones are to be employed in factories; in that case what age or standard is proposed as the line of demarcation; and will the commissions to be set up be working before married men, whether conscripts or called up in the last four groups, are liable to report?

Mr. LONG

I do not clearly understand what arrangements my hon. and learned Friend has in view, but I may say that active steps have been for some time in progress for surveying the men employed in factories, with a view to seeing how many of those of military age can be released from civil employment, their places where necessary being filled by older men or women. On the last part of the question I may refer him to the statement made yesterday by my right hon. Friend.