HC Deb 10 September 1914 vol 66 cc642-3
56. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of issuing recruiting forms of a less complicated nature than those at present in use, seeing that at least twelve official signatures are required for each recruit, causing unnecessary delay in completion; and whether it is necessary for one of the forms to be in duplicate?

Mr. TENNANT

This is a matter that is receiving the attention of the War Office. Whilst it is no doubt very desiraable to reduce clerical labour connected with enlistments to a minimum at the present time, it must be remembered that there are certain legal formalities to be complied with, and that in order to enable us to deal with claims that will certainly in many cases arise in the future, it is absolutely necessary to record on every recruit's document at the time of his enlistment certain items of information as to himself and his family.

Mr. GWYNNE

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered this, bearing in mind the fact that the delay is largely caused by the fact that the recruiting officer himself has to sign these documents eight or nine times for each recruit?

Mr. TENNANT

Yes, Sir.

Mr. WORTHNGTON EVANS

Would the right hon. Gentleman say why, if it is necessary to have these forms, they should not be in duplicate, and so save a great deal of trouble?

Mr. TENNANT

I should have thought the duplication might be done by manifold process.

Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANS

Will the right hon. Gentleman authorise the officers to do that, because at present they cannot? May I also ask whether the right hon. Gentleman would authorise a rubber stamp to be used for signatures?

Mr. TENNANT

I imagine that there are difficulties in connection with the possible fabrication of signatures by rubber stamps; at the same time I will consider what the hon. Member has said.

Mr. HAMAR GREENWOOD

Would the Under-Secretary for War consider the desirability of altering the King's Regulations to permit recruiting officers and other officers affixing their signatures by means of a rubber stamp as is done by every business in England?

Mr. TENNANT

I have just said I will consider it.