§ Sir J. Smedley Crookeasked the Minister of Supply how many messengers are being recruited by his Department; and whether he will ensure that prior consideration is shown to unpensioned and unemployed ex-service men in allotting such posts?
§ Colonel LlewellinThe provision made for the employment of messengers at the headquarters of the Ministry of Supply is 110 as shown on page 11 of the Supplementary Estimate for the Department. Apart from transfers from other Government Departments, messengers will be recruited through the Employment Exchange service of the Ministry of Labour, which provides for the authorised preference for ex-service men. Up to date 29 messengers have been engaged. With one exception, where special considerations applied, all have been recruited in this manner; all are ex-service men and were, I understand, except in the case of transfers, unemployed on engagement. It would be contrary to established practice to regard the receipt of a pension as a disqualification for such employment.