56. Mr. CHANCELLORasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a Treasury minute has been issued to the War Office intimating that no application for a commission is to be considered from anyone in the Government service until he has obtained permission from his Department or has discharged himself; whether the notification that a month's notice will not be required from members of the staff of the Valuation Department desiring to enlist applies to those applying for a commission; and, if so, whether a minute will be issued to the War Office stating that such applicants may be considered on the same footing as other applicants not affected by the Treasury Minute above referred to?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)No minute of the nature referred to has been issued. The action of the War Office, though naturally related to the Treasury Regulations of last August, is within their own discretion. I understand that no difficulty such as my hon. Friend anticipates would arise in the case of a temporary valuation officer who, before terminating his engagement in order to join the Forces, applied to the War Office for a commission.