§ 6. Sir A. MARKHAMasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that many thousands of men have enlisted whom the Government are unable to equip and arm, he will say why large numbers of men working on munitions of war and equipment are still being recruited; and whether the enlistment of such men means further delay in the arming and equipment of those already enlisted?
7. Sir HOWELL DAVIESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will now institute a system of registration of willing recruits for the Army and allow them meanwhile to continue their civil occupations until such time arrives as the equipment of those already enrolled in the Army has reached a more complete stage and until the Minister of Munitions, has enrolled a sufficient number of men to secure a satisfactory supply of shells and other munitions for successfully conducting the War?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt is not proposed to cease enlisting recruits for the Army at the present juncture, or to register men merely as proposed in question No. 7. Men of skilled trades in which there is a shortage of labour required for the production of munitions of war are not now accepted for enlistment.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs my right hon. Friend aware that recruiting bands are stationed outside factories which are supplying munitions of war, and are taking men away from these factories to join the Colours?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware that men whose services would be useful for the manufacture of munitions are being recruited for the Army.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMI will send my right hon. Friend cases.