HC Deb 26 October 1908 vol 194 cc1598-9
MR. ARTHUR LEE

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether recruits from the ranks of the unemployed who join the Special Reserve, and who take the advantage of his offer to provide them during the winter months with weekly pay, free food, quarters, bedding, fuel, and light at the expense of the State, will be entitled subsequently to cancel any obligation to remain in the Reserve for the normal period of six years, or to render any further military service in the event of an emergency, on making a payment of £3 at the conclusion of their temporary employment or at any other time that may be more convenient to themselves.

MR. HALDANE

Any Special Reservist can always purchase his discharge for £3, provided that such discharges are not suspended by any national emergency.

MR. ARTHUR LEE

asked whether under the exceptional circumstances the right hon. Gentleman could not revise the terms of enlistment in the interests of the State so that men should not be entitled to cancel their obligation to be called on active service in cases of emergency at so cheap a rate? And he would also ask—

*MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman must not forget that this is Question time, and not for debate.