Mr. BARLOWasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction there is amongst men posted to Class W, who receive neither pension nor allowance and very often are quite incapable of work of any kind; and whether he will consider the speedy reduction or abolition of Class W?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONUnder existing Instructions, no man is transferred to Class W of the Reserve except on compassionate grounds unless he has been certified by a medical board as sufficiently robust to earn a normal day's wage at the employment awaiting him, nor can he be transferred to the Reserve unless definite employment is awaiting him. The existing Instructions referred to came into force on 30th July last. All men transferred to Class W under previous Instructions are sent a prepaid Army Form on which they are asked to state whether they are without employment or unable to follow their civil occupation. Any man whose reply is in the affirmative is recalled to the Colours forthwith and is either retained with the Colours or discharged, according to the medical category in which he is found to be.