§ 101. Mr. Berryasked the Secretary of State for War how many skilled workmen in the Army are engaged on duties in which their specialised skill is not employed; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such waste of skill and manpower.
§ 111. Mr. Stephenasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that apprentice engineers and joiners with more than two years' experience of their trade, on being called up for service, are being offered only the choice of cook or infantry and are being informed that there is no chance of following their trade while in the Army; and what steps he is taking to place lads like these in units where they would have some opportunity of carrying on their trade.
§ Mr. LawsonIt would be very difficult to ascertain how many skilled workmen now in the Army are not employed in their civilian trades at any particular moment, and it would be essential, as a preliminary, 331W to have a clearer definition of the trades which my hon. Friend the Member for West Woolwich (Mr. Berry) has in mind In general, I can assure both the hon. Members that specialised skill is used to the fullest extent consistent with Army needs. The qualifications of all men are examined and recorded when they are called up. Those suitable for Army trades are posted accordingly, either at once or when vacancies occur. But the Army requirements are not identical with those in civil life and there are bound to be individuals who cannot be employed at the time in their own particular occupations. These are allocated to duties which appear to be most suitable as a result of the selection procedure.