§ Mr. W. Brownasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that a request by the staff side of his departmental Whitley Council for the setting up of a Committee of Inquiry into the employment of Service personnel in Ministry of Supply establishments has been refused; and whether, in view of the necessity for avoiding the use of military personnel on duties which might be performed by women or over-age civilians, thereby setting military personnel free for military duties, he will consider the setting up of such a committee?
§ Sir A. DuncanIt is the policy of the Ministry that military personnel shall not be employed in posts which can properly be filled by civilians and for which suitably qualified civilians are available. It is not considered necessary to set up the machinery of a joint Committee of, Inquiry, but the Official Side of the Departmental Whitley Council have already expressed their willingness to consider any specific cases in which it may be alleged that the declared policy of the Department has not been followed.