§ 96. Mr. THOMASasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a man named W. C. Birch offered himself for enlistment at Crewe on 3rd December, 1915, when he was rejected as medically unfit; that on 9th March Army Form W. 3236 was forwarded ordering this man to report himself for service with the Colours before 7 a.m. on 11th March, which was returned on 10th March, and Birch being ill sent his rejection certificate for inspection with a friend who, upon asking for its return, was invited by chief clerk Taylor to witness the destruction of the certificate, and was also told to inform Birch that if he did not present himself for service on 11th March an escort would be sent to fetch him; and, having regard to this conduct on the part of chief clerk Taylor and the importance of preventing any recurrence of it, whether he will at once take steps to prevent a repetition of such conduct on the part of those whose duty should be to give assistance in such cases?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware of the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend, but I am having an inquiry made.