13. Mr. REND ALLasked whether men of military age who were examined by the medical board for their district before 1st June last and passed for garrison service only are exempt from immediate service, and have received notice that they will not be called up till 30th August next, while men who were so examined and passed since 1st June last are liable to be called up immediately; and, if so, what is the reason for this difference of treatment based merely on the date of the medical board's examination, which may result in the immediate calling up of men, passed for garrison service only, attested as long ago as 1915, but who did not go before the medical board until after 1st June last, while a man who attested on, say 30th May, who went before the medical board on 31st May, and was passed for similar service, is not called up till 30th August or after?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe requirements of the Army change from time to time, and in the beginning of June it was found to be 308 necessary to take the men fit for garrison duty, and it may be that owing to the changing exigencies of the Service there have been some inequalities of treatment, such as the hon. Member has in mind. But amongst those who have not yet been called up the younger unattested men will be taken first.