Mr. E. P. Smith:

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the plans for the future of the 14 Command Workshops, R.E.M.E., and the R.A.O.C. Depot at Ashford, Kent; and if he will make these known to the employees concerned, in order to avoid so many conflicting rumours being circulated.

So far as can be foreseen the R.E.M.E. Workshop and the R.A.O.C. Depot at Ashford will be retained permanently. I am not aware of the existence of doubts among the employees about the future of these establishments, but I am taking steps to have the information given in this reply communicated to them.

Mr. E. P. Smith:

asked the Secretary of State for War what numbers of civil servants, industrial and non-industrial, are employed in the R.A.O.C. and R.E.M.E. Depots, respectively, at Ashford, Kent.

At the R.A.O.C. depot 133 industrials and 79 non-industrials; at the R.E.M.E. workshops 268 industrials and 32 non-industrials.