§ 21. Sir COURTENAY WARNERasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that in many cases recruiting officers have persuaded men who had been rejected as medically unfit to give up their certificates and insisted on attesting them; if this is contrary to their instructions; and if the Secretary of State for War will remove and otherwise punish these recruiting officers for failing to carry out the instructions and illegally compelling men to attest?
§ Mr. TENNANTI do not think that there is any general practice of the kind suggested, though cases have been brought to my notice. It is certainly not in accordance with instructions, but I cannot undertake the drastic act on suggested unless it should appear that there was really ground for it.
§ Sir C. WARNERHas any action been taken in cases where rules have been broken? Surely the right hon. Gentleman must see that it is a very important question?
§ Mr. TENNANTIf it can be really brought home that a recruiting officer has deliberately disobeyed instructions, then suitable action will be taken.
§ Mr. ANDERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that since he made his statement in this House certificates have been 1859 and are still being torn up, that many unfit men are being treated with great harshness, and that some recruiting officers say the Under-Secretary of State for War has no authority in this matter?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, Sir, I am not aware of any one of those three things, and, if my hon. Friend will bring to my notice the actual case of a particular officer, I will certainly have it inquired into.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs my right hon. Friend aware that notices mobilising these men are still being issued?
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWill my right hon. Friend take steps to punish the offenders?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI would remind hon. Members of the great number of questions which we have upon the Order Paper.