§ Sir R. Youngasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps has been created for the purpose of maintaining in technical efficiency the electrical and mechanical equipment of the Army, steps will be taken in the interests of the men of the corps for ensuring their eligibility for, and easy access to, satisfactory industrial employment after service; and that, as far as possible, only skilled men who have served an apprenticeship will be recruited for the corps?
§ Mr. A. HendersonThe resettlement of Service personnel in civilian employment must he considered as a whole and my bon. Friend will appreciate that the personnel of one corps cannot be considered separately. As regards the second part of the Question, the supply of men who have completed an apprenticeship is by itself quite inadequate in war-time to meet the requirements of the R.E.M.E. as well as of the other services and of industry, but I can assure my hon. Friend that so far as is possible preference is given to skilled men.