HC Deb 17 February 1916 vol 80 cc214-5
96. Mr. RENDALL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether single men who offered themselves as recruits under the Derby scheme in November and December last and were rejected on medical grounds are outside the scope of the Military Service Act recently passed, or whether there is an intention to compel them to re-present themselves after 2nd March; and, if so, under what authority this is to be done?

Mr. TENNANT

These men are outside the scope of the Act. They are not required to submit to re-examination if they possess valid evidence of their rejection. Perhaps my hon. Friend will also refer to a full written answer on this point which I am giving to a question put by the hon. Member for Derby yesterday, and which will appear in the OFFICIAL REPORT for today. [See Written Answers.]

Mr. RENDALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain recruiting officers have induced persons who were rejected as unfit by the doctors to resubmit themselves and have instructed the doctors that, under the new eyesight regulations these men can now be accepted?

Mr. TENNANT

It is very difficult to prevent influence being exerted upon persons privately. We have no responsibility for that.

Mr. RENDALL

Is not the recruiting officer a person of authority?

Mr. GOLDSTONE

Have the War Office given any further instructions to recruiting officers as a result of the correspondence the right hon. Gentleman has had with the late Home Secretary?

Mr. TENNANT

Yes, Sir, instructions have gone out.