§ Mr. HURDasked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to increase the number of disabled ex-service men, which is now 1,408, on the temporary staff of the War Office in place of women, also temporarily employed, who now number 1,899?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe figures quoted by the hon. Member were those for 1st April, 1920. Since that date there has been a slight increase in the number of disabled ex-service men temporarily employed, and the number of women temporarily employed has been reduced from 1,899 to 1,701, the latter figure including nearly 200 transferred from the Ministry of Munitions during June. Of the women temporarily employed, approximately 700 are exempt from substitution, being employed as shorthand typists, typists, and charwomen, and women exempted on2170W other grounds. Leaving out of account the transfers from the Ministry of Munitions, the staff of the War Office has been reduced by over 800 since 1st April last, and the maintenance of this rate of reduction makes it impracticable to increase to any extent the number of disabled ex-service men employed in the Department. The majority of the female clerical staff still remaining have been employed for some years and are engaged on duties which necessitate a lengthy apprenticeship. In view of the gradual diminution of work, substitution in these cases is not considered practicable.