asked the Minister for Defence if any body has been created by him to lay down the lines to govern the discharge of officers from the Army; and if not, on whose recommendations these discharges are being made; and if such discharges are being made in such a manner as to retain only the most efficient and capable officers from a military point of view. Further, if he will state what provision, if any, is being made for officers who are being discharged.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DISCHARGE OF ARMY OFFICERS.
The question of the demobilisation of officers surplus to requirements has been for some time under careful review by the Defence Council. This Council itself has laid down the lines governing the discharge of officers, and the case of each individual officer discharged is previously considered by the Council.
In making such discharges due regard is given to the necessity for retaining those officers capable of giving the most efficient and satisfactory service from the military point of view.
The number of officers to be dealt with under the Demobilisation Proposals is approximately 2,000. Apart from resignations they fall into three classes:—
(1) Officers whose work has not been satisfactory.
(2) Officers whose service dates from a date subsequent to July, 1921, and whose services, while satisfactory, have been such as not to show special merit or indicate special qualifications.
(3) Officers whose service dates from a date prior to July, 1921, and who, while having given satisfaction, are surplus to requirements.
All officers' cases are considered on their history sheets and files. Officers of the No. 3 class have been grouped in order of efficiency, and demobilisations from this class are taken from the lower positions in such lists.
The financial provision made for demobilised officers is indicated in Defence Order No. 28 of the 15th of September, a copy of which is forwarded to the Deputy and which states that—
Such officers will be granted demobilisation pay as follows:—
(a) For the first two months after demobilisation, full pay of rank (without allowances).
(b) For the second two months after demobilisation, half pay of rank (without allowances).
In addition, a grant of Five Pounds (£5) will be made to each officer on his demobilisation to assist him to provide himself with civilian clothing.
It is thought necessary specially to consider the cases of officers coming into the third class, and it is anticipated that it may be desirable, in the case of some, at any rate, of those officers to make an additional grant based on:—
(1) The nature of the services rendered in pre-Truce days by such officer.
(2) The period over which these services extended.
(3) The extent, resulting in loss, of the consequent upset in his ordinary course of life, and
(4) Services subsequently rendered by the officer in the National Forces.
A Committee, consisting of three of the Senior General Officers Commanding, has been set up to consider the case of each officer of this class, and to make a recommendation in each case to the Minister.
A re-settlement branch has been set up in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, for the purpose of resettling officers and men in civil life. In addition, certain facilities will be granted in the matter of competition for Civil Service Examinations, and, at present, practically all temporary Civil Service male positions are retained for demobilised officers and men.
Will the Minister give any indication as to the facilities that will be accorded to such demobilised officers in the next Civil Service Examination?
That question had better be addressed to the Minister for Finance.