§ 18. Mr. GINNELLasked the Under Secretary of State for War whether it is according to any regular rules, or only by influence, some university men are now obtaining exemption from service under the Military Service Act; if rules, by whom drawn up; whether they will be submitted to this House; what are the general grounds and qualifications for obtaining those exemptions; by what means some men of no scientific distinction or aptitude have obtained them; and whether open competition will be substituted for the present method of exempting from military service men claiming to be of potential value to the State otherwise
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR(Mr. Tennant)Exemption from service under the Military Service Act is a matter for the tribunals. I am not aware that men have been exempted on grounds such as those suggested.
§ 64. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that on the 7th instant Major Kerr, as military representative, informed the Glasgow Tribunal that the military authorities suggested that the tribunals should not grant exemptions for a longer period than up to 10th June; will he state who are the persons seeking to subvert the law; and will he take immediate steps to instruct tribunals to disregard their endeavours?
§ Mr. TENNANTAny instructions to tribunals would be given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board. The War Office have made no suggestion of the kind referred to in the question.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWill you instruct Major Kerr to the effect that he made a misrepresentation when he said such instructions had been given?
§ Mr. TENNANTI will inquire what he actually did say.