asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether perference is shown for ex-Service personnel in engaging employees for Government Departments and Government-controlled factories; and whether war service is taken into consideration when the question of redundancy arises.

On the non-industrial side of the Civil Service the arrangements for recruitment to established posts during the reconstruction period ensure that generous treatment is given to suitable candidates from the Forces, according to Cmd. 6567; employment is also reserved for ex-Servicemen in certain subordinate grades where possible. As to redundancy, the broad position as laid down by the National Whitley Council Agreement is that discharges shall be in order of shortness of service, and for this purpose any period of service in the Armed Forces counts as temporary Government service; the National Whitley Council also embodies a long-standing pledge in favour of the ex-Serviceman of the 1914–18 war. On the industrial side, the Departments concerned apply the rules agreed with the headquarters' trade unions.

As the right hon. Gentleman is rather indefinite, will he say whether he is satisfied that these men are being treated generously; and will he also say if any distinction is made between the ex-Servicemen of the first and second world wars?

Yes, Sir, the ex-Serviceman of the first world war does get complete right of way in these matters. The ex-Serviceman of the war just concluded does not, although the scales are heavily weighted in his favour