§ Lieutenant-Colonel Dowerasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the widespread feeling that a considerable number of men and women in the Civil Service of suitable age are not being called up for the Armed Forces of the Crown; and does he consider it desirable to set up a privileged and sheltered section of the community in this respect at a time when the nation, as a whole, is called upon to contribute the utmost sacrifices?
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§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir. The policy of reservation which has been adopted in regard to man-power since the beginning of the war implies that men and women of military age are being employed in the manner best fitted to assist the war effort. Civil servants have therefore been reserved in appropriate cases, although a large number have in fact been released and are now serving in the Armed Forces, and I would deprecate describing any workers, whether servants of the State or privately employed, as being in either a privileged or sheltered position.