§ 44. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now state what arrangements it is proposed to make to give effect to the exemption or exception from the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, of officers and men in the Merchant Service?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)The hon. Gentleman will have seen the notice which appeared in the Press yesterday informing officers and seamen of the Mercantile Marine that they are entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Military Service Act. A placard to the same effect will also be exhibited at Mercantile Marine offices and elsewhere. If officers or seamen receive notices to present themselves for military service they should return the notices to the military authorities claiming exemption.
§ Mr. PETOIs it not necessary for them to obtain any certificate at all showing that they are exempt from service?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANEvidence will, of course, be required that they are serving in the Mercantile Marine. Discharge certificates in the case of seamen and the usual certified statements in that of officers will no doubt be effective for them.
§ Commander BELLAIRS (by Private Notice)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the statements published by the Admiralty and the Board of Trade, the Army Council will issue specific orders to recruiting officers to cancel previous notices served on ships' officers and men of the Mercantile Marine other than stewards of passenger liners; and instruct them not to enlist merchant seamen until an agreement between different Government Departments is reached?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am in communication with the Board of Trade as to the quickest and most effective administrative means 1041 of protecting officers and men in the Mercantile Marine. There is no question as to the principle involved nor is there any disagreement. The Board of Trade are today drafting suggestions on the matter, which will no doubt be approved and passed to recruiting officers.