§ 10. General Sir IVOR HERBERTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the attention of the Secretary of State has been drawn to the large number 161 of discharges from the New Armies for physical and other causes; and whether any measures are being taken to prevent the enlistment of such discharged men and to retain their services for the industrial or agricultural operations for which they may be fitted?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe matter referred to in the first part of the question receives the constant attention of the military authorities. Men who have enlisted since the beginning of the War and have once been discharged are not accepted for re-enlistment, with the sole exception of those discharged on purely medical grounds whom the examining medical officer, with full knowledge of the cause of discharge, pronounces to be fit for service at home and abroad.
§ General Sir IVOR HERBERTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of these men, after being discharged, go straight away and re-enlist, very often presenting themselves at the places where they were previously enlisted? Has any system been framed for making use of these men in some other capacity for which they may be fitted?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe War Office has under consideration a scheme for obviating the trouble suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend, by a system of identification, but that involves certain principles which it may be difficult to put into force. As to whether these men will be suitable for other employment I cannot say without more definite knowledge.