HC Deb 09 March 1916 vol 80 cc1696-7
98. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government will consider the advisability of not calling up married groups until the supply of single men has been exhausted?

Mr. TENNANT

All groups of unmarried men who have voluntarily attested and all classes of unmarried men subject to the Military Service Act have already been called up. The Government fully considered the necessities of the due supply of men to be drawn for Army service before calling up any groups of married men.

Sir J. D. REES

Without controverting what the right hon. Gentleman says, does not the Government think that the loyal married men have a just cause of complaint in the numerous exemptions given on the pretext of conscience?

Mr. SPEAKER

That opens up a very wide question.