§ 92. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Groups 35 to 41 of attested married men are officially called up for the 29th instant; whether such call was made in the expectation that the Military Service Bill, now withdrawn, which did not include un-attested married men, would become law; whether, since that Bill has been withdrawn and all married men are, under the Bill now before the House, to become liable, Groups 35 to 41 will come in their order; whether this will be later than the date of calling up very large numbers of the married men; and whether it is proposed, nevertheless, to call first upon these, who behaved best and came forward before they were under any legal obligation in this behalf, or whether all the married men will now be placed upon the same footing in all respects?
§ Mr. TENNANTMilitary requirements necessitate the calling up of these groups and it is impossible to defer the calling of them up until the Military Service Bill now before Parliament has received the Royal Assent.
§ Sir J. D. REESSince men attested under Lord Derby's scheme have received no training hitherto, will it not be possible to put all on the same footing?
§ Mr. TENNANTAs the hon. Gentleman is aware, the men coming in under the Bill are to be given a month's notice.