HC Deb 07 March 1916 vol 80 c1331
10. Mr. WATT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is now the view of his Department that, where men are ordered through the public Press as in Cardiff or otherwise to present themselves again, although they had presented themselves and had been declared medically unfit since 14th August, they may ignore this order and have the matter tried in the Civil Courts?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)

I think we may start with the assumption that it is the desire of all eligible persons to assist the administration of the Military Service Act and not to hamper it. The facts are now, I think, clear to everyone—i.e., that a man who has a certificate of rejection in proper form signed by the proper authority is excepted from the provisions of the Act. Men who have not so offered themselves and been rejected since 14th August, 1915, will be held to serve under the terms of the Act.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer which he has just given is not in accordance with the terms of the Act?

Mr. TENNANT

No, Sir, I am not.