§ Captain Pluggeasked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements exist at the present time to ensure that as many as possible of the men in the Army who have special scientific or technical qualifications are utilised to the best advantage; and whether he will give an undertaking that from time to time arrangements will be made to ensure that such men are properly employed, and, if not, that they will be remustered and employed in a capacity where their services will be of maximum value?
§ Mr. StanleyIt is the continuous and not the periodical duty of all commanders to see that the qualifications of men serving under them are used to the best advantage in the Army. It does not necessarily follow because an individual has certain qualifications that he can or should be immediately removed from his present work. Suitable vacancies are not always available.
§ Sir H. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the case of the Cambridge honours graduate in physics and mathematics, aged 35, who is at the moment serving as a bombardier, and engaged in junior clerk's work; and what steps are being taken to avoid such a waste of manpower?
§ Mr. StanleyAccording to the record on his attestation paper, the soldier to whom my hon. Friend refers was a journalist in civil life. He is not at present up to the medical standard required for admission to an officer cadet training unit, but, if his medical state improves, he will be eligible for training in an officer cadet training unit subject to recommendation by his commanding officer.