51. Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the Prime Minister whether detailed instructions have yet been issued to the tribunals under Lord Derby's scheme; and whether these instructions provide for the exemption or reference to a late class of sons who are the sole support of widows?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)Detailed instructions have been issued to local tribunals. It is provided in these instructions that, "in considering a claim made by a man on grounds personal to himself, the tribunal shall have regard to the circumstances of the man and to the business, financial, or domestic arrangements which the man, by his notice of claim, alleges it is necessary for him to make before being called up for actual military service." In a circular which my right hon. Friend issued to the tribunals, he intimated that each case of a man with dependants should be considered on its merits.
§ Sir NORVAL HELMEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, seeing that in the instructions recently given to the tribunals it is suggested that no duplicate application should be made, but one being made by the individual on the ground of dependance along with that of employment because his services are required for important national purposes, and if in such a case a refusal is given on commercial grounds the applicant will be allowed to make application under the other head for supplementary decision?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThat is a matter to which my right hon. Friend will give his consideration. That is all I can say.
Mr. E. HARVEYDoes not that answer imply that no detailed guidance is given to the tribunals, and that, therefore, they may deal with these cases in an entirely different way instead of having a uniform system, and will it not be possible to adopt some uniform system?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHEREvery case of that kind must be considered on its merits. If a son applies saying that he is the sole support of his mother, into his case examination must be made, but the Prime Minister gave an answer yesterday which I think will be very satisfactory to the hon. Gentleman who asks the question.
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe tribunal will have power to give the usual exemptions as well as postponements.
§ 76. Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, under the Derby scheme, it was stated that men married after 15th August, 1915, were to be treated as single men; if so, is he aware that many men married since that date have been treated as married men and have been placed in some instances twenty to twenty-five groups lower than single men of equal age; and will he take steps, and, if so, what steps, to correct such errors of grouping?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)Yes, Sir, steps will be taken to correct these errors of grouping.
§ 77. Colonel WARDEasked the number of men who have been attested under the Derby scheme without being passed as medically fit for service?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe hon. and gallant Member will find this figure on page 5 of the White Paper containing Lord Derby's Report.
§ 78. Colonel WARDEasked the number of men enlisted since 1st January, 1915, who have since been discharged as medically unfit.
§ Mr. TENNANTI am afraid that I must refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Bethnal Green on the 23rd November last.