§ Mr. RAPERasked the Minister of Pensions whether area councils or committees have been formed in Aberdeen, Inverness, Greenock, Glasgow, Motherwell, Stirling, Newcastle, Tynemouth, West Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Gloucester, Bristol, Bath, and Taunton; whether they are or will be staffed by ex-service men; and whether all future councils will be so staffed, in view of the number of ex-service men now redundant and on the books of the Joint Substitution Board and divisional controllers throughout the country?
§ Major TRYONI presume my hon. Friend refers to the new area offices which are being set up on connection with the reorganisation of the local war pensions committees. In making appointments to the staff of these offices, effect will be given to the promise made by my right hon. Friend on the 19th July last, during the Committee stage of the War Pensions Act, 1921, that he would give preference to ex-service men. It may, however, be necessary in the interests of the pensioners to retain for a limited time, during the transition period, the services of a few exceptionally qualified members of the staff of existing committees who are non-service men.