HC Deb 05 June 1919 vol 116 cc2260-1W
Mr. WILLIAM NICHOLSON

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Company Sergeant-Major Jolliffe, Sergeant Jenkins, and Sappers White, Tull, and Wood, Royal Engineers, lately demobilised, applied to the district officer, Royal Engineers, for reinstatement at Longmoor, where they were employed previous to being called up in 1914, under the War Office; whether he is aware that their application for reinstatement was refused though the men who tad taken their places had not served during the War; and whether, as the Government are appealing to private employers to reinstate men now demobilised, he will reinstate these men in their former employment under the War Office?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am informed that, Company Sergeant-Major Jolliffe was not employed by the Division Officer, Royal Engineers, in 1914. He was then working under the triennial contractor. Sergeant Jenkins also was not employed by the Division Officer, Royal Engineers, in 1914. Sapper White was offered employment under the Royal Engineers in February, 1919, and refused it. Sapper Tull applied to the Division Officer, Royal Engineers, for re-employment three weeks ago, and will be absorbed in due course. There is no record of any application for work from Sapper Wood in the office of the Division Officer, Royal Engineers, and no record of his employment in 1914. Four applicants for re-employment in this small Royal Engineer Division at Longmoor have already been absorbed.