§ Sir R. Youngasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men with skill in male nursing were asked to volunteer for service in E.M.S. hospitals; that such volunteers were transferred from the Army for this purpose, and are, 469W therefore, on loan; and whether this transference, which entails less pay, carries with it a loss of war gratuity from the date when nursing duties began, and if so, why R.A.M.C. men should suffer this loss.
§ Mr. LawsonI am aware that these men volunteered for service in E.M.S. hospitals in a civilian capacity and that they were transferred to Class W/T of the Army Reserve for this purpose. Large numbers of soldiers have, from time to time, been so transferred for civilian employment of national importance, and such employment does not reckon for the purpose of the war gratuity which is awarded for service in the Armed Forces.