§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the women telegraphists who were employed on signal work in France were required to take the oath on enrolment and received identification certificate AFW 3577 (approved by AG 11); that these women telegraphists received a certificate of discharge, AFW 3677, on demobilisation; that they were numbered and accorded rank contrary to the custom of civilian organisation; that they were War Office sealed pattern uniform and were forbidden to wear civilian dress: that their entire service was rendered under military discipline, was controlled by Army Council instructions, and their movements and boundaries by military orders; that although members of civilian organisations were required to use red permits, such permits were unnecessary in the case of these women telegraphists; that many of these women applied for service at the Peace Conference and were debarred on the ground that the staff at the Conference must be civilian in character; and whether, having regard to all these circumstances, he will reconsider his decision that these women telegraphists were civilians and not soldiers and make inquiries as to the possibilities of paying them a retention bonus similar to that which was paid' to all men retained for the machinery of demobilisation?
527W
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONMembers of the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps are eligible for the Army of Occupation bonus if they fulfil the conditions.