HC Deb 10 September 1914 vol 66 cc649-50
69. Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANS

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can now say whether the bounty of £10 will be paid to men in Class 1 of the National Reserve who enlisted and did not wait to be called up?

Mr. BAKER

It has been decided that the bounty cannot be granted to those men who were not called up by proper authority.

Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANS

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the meaning of that is that those men who have enlisted out of the National Reserve will not get the bounty, and that those who have waited till called up will get the bounty, and can he say for what reason the distinction is made?

Mr. BAKER

The bounty was given in order to induce men to register, and in the view of the military authorities, if they are not there when required, the whole purpose of the bounty and the registration is gone.

Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANS

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that these men were registered in Class A, and when the call was made they answered it at once without waiting to be called up?

Mr. BAKER

When the National Reserve was called up by the proper authority they were not there.

Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANS

Would the hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter?

Mr. BAKER

The position is that these men were induced by the bounty to register, and then when they were looked for they were no longer there, and thus the whole purpose of the bounty has been frustrated.

Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANS

Only because they had enlisted.

Mr. BAKER

I will see if there is any ground on which the decision can be reconsidered.

Mr. R. GWYNNE

Was any notice given to the men that if they did not readily respond they would get the bounty?

Mr. BAKER

I do not think any such notice was needed.