§ 46. Mr. NIELDasked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the difficulty in obtaining recruits, he has considered the advisability of facilitating the employés in Government Departments not directly concerned in the prosecution of the War or providing for the Services, enrolling in one or other of the Forces, and of employing temporarily men who are over the enlistment age or are, by reason of short sight or otherwise, disqualified from service so as to free those who are willing to volunteer?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have to refer the hon. Member to my written answer on Monday to the hon. Member for Sunderland.
§ 47. Colonel YATEasked the Prime Minister how many offers have been received from retired Civil servants to fill posts vacated by younger men in Government offices who have joined, or are anxious to join, the Army; and whether the Government will accept such offers so as to release active men for military service and, at the same time, to have well-trained men to fill the vacancies?
§ The PRIME MINISTERA large number of offers of service have been received from retired Civil servants, and many have been accepted. I regret that I cannot 1301 give the numbers. I may refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answers to the hon. Member for Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities on 14th September, and to the hon. Member for Sunderland on Monday last.
§ Colonel YATECan the right hon. Gentleman say if the heads of departments are giving all facilities to let the young men go on service?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, they are.
§ 53. Mr. D. HALLasked the Prime Minister whether the Government have taken into consideration the number of new recruits they consider it is necessary should come forward voluntarily and the limit of time within which they must be obtained for the efficient carrying on of the War; if he will state what the approximate number and date are; and what steps the Government propose to take either by means of the Ballot Act or special legislation in the event of an insufficient number of recruits being obtained within that time?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt would be misleading to suggest any number or date, which must be conjectural. The progress of recruiting is naturally constantly receiving the attention of the Government.
§ 67. Mr. GRANTasked if the regulations as to eyesight of recruits have been modified so that the use of glasses will no longer debar a man from joining His Majesty's Army?
§ Mr. TENNANTGlasses may be worn by all ranks on or off duty.
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, that is so; but of course we must see that his eyesight is not too defective.