§ Mr. NAYLORasked the Secretary of State for War why, in applying the clerical reorganisation scheme to ordnance depots in the Southern Command and the country generally, the 1046W majority of the graded posts have been allotted to military personnel; and whether, in view of the fact that warrant officers and non-commissioned officers of the Ordnance Corps are being constantly transferred from one station to another, he will, in order to secure a greater measure of continuity of control and responsibility and consequent improved efficiency in administration, issue instructions for the filling of the graded posts by men selected from the civilian employés in the depots affected?
§ Captain KINGThe military establishment of the Ordnance Services,i.e., the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, is based on actual requirements for the performance of military duties at home and abroad in peace and war. A certain number of warrant officer and non-commissioned officer clerks are required now as in the past for the performance of these duties. The balance of clerical personnel required by the Ordnance Services is supplied by civilians. No new principle is involved in the recent clerical reorganisation. The transfer of warrant officers and non-commissioned officers performing clerical duties is carried out as rarely as possible and such transfers do not affect the number of posts to be occupied by civilians.