§ Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that a number of men of military age have been seconded for the corporation of Liverpool for service in the Ministry of Food in that city and have thereby become protected from call-up for military service; that there are women members of the Ministry's staff in Liverpool willing and able to undertake the duties performed by these men; and if he will have an investigation made into the circumstances in which these men secured their present posts and the practicability of releasing them.
§ Colonel LlewellinThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes" but this does not automatically exempt them from call-up for military service. They are subject to the ordinary rules governing1644W the reservation of civil servants which are related to the posts they hold, and I am satisfied that the officials exempted under these rules are necessary for the performance of the work of the Liverpool Food Office. They became members of the staff owing to the Liverpool Corporation agreeing to their being seconded to the Ministry. I am indebted to local authorities such as the Liverpool Corporation for such assistance in the staffing of local food offices.