Mr. GUESTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the greater number of those dependants interested in the work of the Imperial War Graves Commission are women; and on what grounds War widows have been dismissed from his Department who were employed on work dealing with the graves while non-combatant home-service men are still employed by the Commission?
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Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSThe point raised in the first part of the question is necessarily a matter of opinion. In regard to the last part, the hon. Member is aware that it is the general policy of His Majesty's Government to replace female and other non-service staff by ex-service personnel. I understand that, so far as the Imperial War Graves Commission is concerned, only two War widows have recently left. One of these resigned voluntarily on being warned that she would eventually be replaced by an ex-service man, and the other, who has a pension of £180 a year, was replaced by an ex-service man after review of her case by the Joint Substitution Board.