§ Mr. Purbrickasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many members of the Civil Service are of an age and grade for military service and have not been called up; and what steps he is taking to replace such by staff who are not so liable at present?
§ Sir K. WoodPrecise figures are not available, but it is estimated that the number of non-industrial male civil servants of military age is in the neighbourhood of 17,000, of whom approximately 11,000 are reserved. Men below the reservation age are retained only if Lord Kennet's Committee are satisfied that they are for the time being indispensable to their Department. Recruitment of substitutes is arranged through the Ministry of Labour and National Service.