§ 65. Mr. DICKINSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether single men of military age who, before 15th August, 1915, had applied for a commission in His Majesty's Army and had been rejected on grounds of physical unfitness, are now being called up for re-examination, and, if found to be fit, will be compelled to serve in the ranks under the Military Service Act; and, if so, whether arrangements can be made to allow of such men obtaining commissions, as they would have done had they not been rejected on their first medical examination?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe category of persons mentioned does not fall within the exceptions set out in the First Schedule of the Act. As I have stated to the House, the normal method of obtaining a commission now is through the ranks. Quite apart, therefore, from the provisions of the Military Service Act, the general channel of approach to all ranks in the Army, commissioned and other, is through the ranks. I do not, therefore, think that such individuals, if physically fit for service, have any grievance in having to enter the Army in the same manner and on the same footing as everybody else.