§ 95. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that starred and badged men at Sheffield who have asked for exemption forms have been refused such forms on the ground that the applicants were starred and badged; and whether he will state definitely that such men are exempt from compulsory military service, and cannot get into trouble at any future time because they do not possess a certificate of exemption?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not sure whether the hon. Member is referring to men who have become voluntarily attested or to men to whom the Military Service Act applies. Instructions have been given by the War Office that a voluntarily attested man who is engaged in a certified occupation can go to the recruiting officer, and, upon satisfying him as to his occupation, receive a document corresponding to a certificate of exemption.
In respect of men to whom the Military Service Act applies it was necessary for every man who desires exemption from the provisions of that Act (other than a man rightfully in possession on the 1st March of a war badge, and a certificate in conjunction therewith) to make an application to the local tribunal before this date. I am not aware that any starred and badged men have been refused exemption certificates on the ground that 1184 they were starred. A badged man does not require any other certificate than the certificate issued with his badge.