asked the Minister for Defence to state the numbers and the terms and conditions of service of civilian and attested clerks, men and women, employed in the various offices and barracks under the control of the Minister.

The number of male clerks in military offices who have not attested is 110. There are no women employed except as typists. The number of attested clerks is about 980. The rates of pay for male civilian clerks vary from £2 10s. 0d. to £6 for a 48-hour week. In all cases their period of service is temporary, and they are liable to be dismissed at a week's notice. The attested clerks get Army pay of rank, and are in receipt, in the majority of cases, of additional pay at the rate of 2s. a day. A number of them received 3s. a day in addition to pay of rank. Their terms and conditions of service are otherwise the same as those of ordinary soldiers.

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction amongst a number of people in the attested ranks?

I am not aware of any dissatisfaction.

Is the Minister not aware that an application, or rather a petition prepared by a number of them, has been refused transmission to their headquarters by the officer concerned?

I am not aware of that.