§ 73. Mr. BILLINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men in Hertfordshire are called upon to attend a medical board at Bedford, a journey which involves the loss of a day's work, in addition to travelling expenses; and whether the War Office will at once make arrangements for a medical board to attend one day a week or a fortnight at the chief town of each of the Parliamentary constituencies in Hertfordshire, to obviate the loss of time and money to the men concerned?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe question of placing the medical board at Bedford in a more central and accessible position is now being considered, and it is hoped to have this done at an early date. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that it is quite impossible, at the present time, to obtain the services of sufficient medical officers to arrange for medical boards even to visit the chief towns of the county of Hertford, and I would remind the hon. Gentleman that there are other counties with which other hon. Members are connected where it would be quite impossible to arrange for a visit by a medical board to all their chief towns.
Mr. TYSON WILSONCan the right hon. Gentleman make arrangements that men travelling long distances should be allowed to do so at a cheap rate or granted free passes?
§ Mr. TENNANTIf the person concerned is called up to the Colours he receives a free warrant. If he desires, as it is natural he should, to be examined by a medical board before he is called up, in order to arrange, then he is travelling as an ordinary citizen and is not given a free warrant.