§ 90. Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has yet had any information as to the destruction at several of the recruiting stations in Glasgow by the recruiting sergeants and by the medical examiners of the evidence of medical unfitness since 14th August of men calling at these stations for purposes other than enlistment; if so, what action he proposes to take; and are these recruiting sergeants and medical men to continue as agents of his Department?
§ Mr. TENNANTWhere a man has not attested the certificate of rejection will be returned to him. Instructions have been issued that the rejection certificate of any man who subsequently attested and was placed in category "B," which consists of men previously rejected on account of eyesight or some slight physical defect, is not to be destroyed but should be preserved by the recruiting officer and filed with the man's documents.
§ 94. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of R. Hope, S 2522, of Exeter, who attested under the group system in November last, was medically examined both at Taunton and Bristol, and passed as fit for service and placed in Group 6; whether he is aware that this man when his group was called up made all arrangements to leave civil life and gave up his employment as a shop manager; that on presenting himself he was again examined, informed that he was fit for Home service only, given 2s 9d., and sent away by the military authorities, who told him to hold himself in readiness to be called up in a week or a month or 1183 six months; and that similar cases are occurring in other places; and whether it is the intention of the Government to accept financial responsibility in respect of men treated in this way?
§ Mr. TENNANTMy attention has not been called to the case mentioned by my hon. Friend. It is open to any man who has been attested and who is desirous of knowing whether he is likely to be accepted as fit for general service to apply to the recruiting officer for medical examination by a board at any time before he is called up. The only expense the man is put to in the matter is that of his journey if the examination cannot take place near his own home. If upon such examination the man is rejected as unfit for service he is not called up. If he is passed as fit for service he will be again examined when he is called up, but the former certificate will be attached to his papers.