§ Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that very few of the employés of the War Department stock yard at Tidworth are ex-service men; and whether it is possible to absorb some of the numerous ex-service men in the district now seeking employment?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIf my hon. and gallant Friend's question relates to the Royal Army Ordnance Depot, which is the largest War Department establishment at Tidworth, the position is that, of a total of 147 civilians employed, 138 are ex-service men. The remaining nine are either pre-War personnel or of trades of which no ex-service men were available at the local Employment Exchange. It is the recognised practice of this depot, when engaging employés, to give preference to ex-service men, other things being equal, and this practice will he followed as regards any employés it may be necessary to engage in the future.