HC Deb 26 July 1916 vol 84 cc1671-2
30. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men discharged from the Army in consequence of ill-health or disablement are being called up for re-examination by recruiting officers; whether he is aware that such men were expressly excluded from the Military Service Act by Section 5 of the First Schedule; and whether he will take steps to prevent these men being called up?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I do not think that soldiers discharged in the circumstances mentioned are being actually called up, but they may in some cases be receiving notices. This might occur where a man settles in an area where he is not known and does not take the trouble to communicate with the recruiting officer, who has no means of knowing who a man is or what his history is except from himself. The man has, however, only to explain who he is and to show to the recruiting officer his discharge certificate in order to receive cancellation of his notice, if he is in fact not liable for service. When men discharged on account of ill-health settle in an area where they are known, it is unlikely that they will receive a notice.

Mr. HOGGE

Does my right hon. Friend know that the discharge certificate very frequently contains only the words "unfit for further service," and does not state the specific nature of the ill-health? Does he, further, know it is a fact—I can give him information locally—that men who have been discharged for these causes, many of whom are eligible for pensions, are being asked by recruiting officers to go up and see if they are fit for any other work?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I understand that there have been mistakes in the issue of notices with regard to discharged men, and steps have been taken to correct that.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that recruiting officers are calling up men who have been discharged from the Army to submit themselves to medical re-examination, and that when a medical certificate is produced the recruiting officers insist that they shall undergo that medical examination? I can give him cases.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

If my hon. Friend will give me one or two cases, I will look into the matter.

Mr. HOGGE

Is there any objection to stating on the discharge certificate the specific reason for the man's discharge, instead of this general statement?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I will consider that point.