HC Deb 12 February 1917 vol 90 c289W
Mr. WING

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware of the manner in which the arrangements under which soldiers transferred to Class W are working, in effect Reserve men in Class W being men who have not yet recovered and being unable to work are without means; is he aware that the Statutory Committee refuse to relieve these men because they are not officially discharged soldiers; and will he take action to prevent soldiers in Class W from seeking Poor Law relief, as is now the case in the North of England?

Mr. FORSTER

The instructions are that men are not to be transferred from the Colours to Section W unless they are fit to take up the work for which they are transferred. Section W is not intended for unfit men. For men who having been properly transferred to Section W afterwards suffer relapse, provision is made under War Office Regulations. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me the case he has in mind.