HC Deb 14 September 1914 vol 66 cc765-6
32. Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, with the view of assisting recruiting, some badge or document can be given to men who have offered themselves for enlistment and been refused?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)

The object the hon. Member has in view is already secured in another way. A man refused on medical grounds has a statement to that effect entered on his notice paper, and he retains this notice paper in his possession. The "notice paper" is given to every recruit offering himself and it states the general conditions of the contract to be entered into.

Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANS

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that in the hurry of recruiting no notice papers are handed to the rejected recruit? To my personal knowledge, I have seen men with tears in their eyes because they have been refused. Is it not possible that he might be given some simple kind of badge so that he might be known in his village as a man who had not shirked his duty?

Mr. TENNANT

I think the notice paper ought not to be omitted. [HON. MEMBERS: "But it is!"] I am sorry to hear it. I shall certainly try to see that it is not omitted in future.

Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANS

Will the right hon. Gentleman give some other answer? It is quite impossible for recruiting officers, when they are dealing with hundreds of cases, to see that the notice papers are given to the recruits. It is so simple to do what is asked.

Mr. TENNANT

I will look into the matter.

Mr. JOHN WARD

Would the right hon. Gentleman remember how easy it would be for a simple badge to be copied by those who never intended to enlist?

Mr. W. THORNE

Would it not be very much better to take all who present themselves for enlistment and give them some kind of military drill?

Mr. TENNANT

The men we are considering now are men rejected by the doctor on medical grounds.

Mr. F. HALL

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the feeling of many of these men who have presented themselves, and who are unfortunately taunted for not having, according to the outer world, offered themselves to the recruiting officer; will the right hon. Gentleman once more consider the advisability or otherwise of allowing some badge to be given?

Mr. TENNANT

Of course I fully appreciate and sympathise with the position of the men alluded to, and I shall certainly consider what has been put before me.