§ 90. Mr. NIELDasked the Under-Secretary for War whether any and what steps have been taken to give effect to the promise made by the Government during the passage of the Military Service (No. 2) Bill that the provisions of or regulations governing the enlistment of recruits under the Derby scheme should be amended so as to ensure that such recruits should not he in a worse position as to exemptions and other conditions than those who are deemed to be enlisted under the Act?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, Sir, instructions on the points mentioned were issued to local tribunals last week.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the regulations as published do not assimilate to the rules, and that the men who enlisted under the Derby scheme are put at a disadvantage in comparison with those compelled to attest under the Military Service Act?
§ Mr. TENNANTThey cannot possibly be in all senses the same. It is not feasible, especially in respect of the man who is a conscientious objector, who says he has enlisted, although he still conscientiously objects.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer he has now given is absolutely contradictory to the answer given by the Prime Minister on the same subject?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware of anything of the kind. I can assure my hon. Friend the answer I have given is in consonance with a conference which we had on the subject.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister said in this House that the Derby recruits would be allowed to conscientiously object just the same as a man joining under the Military Service Act? Is he also aware that the Regulations issued by the Local Government Board do not carry that out?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware of that. I think any further question on the subject should be addressed to the Prime Minister.