§ 37. Major HUNTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, since the introduction of the Military Service (No. 2) Bill, the War Office have directed the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps not to accept any more recruits; and, seeing that 2093 this Officers' Training Corps was originally started by barristers of the Inns of Court for the purpose of training themselves in arms, whether, as barristers find themselves debarred from their own corps, he will direct that all barristers who apply to be recruited in their own Officers' Training Corps shall be accepted?
§ Mr. TENNANTRecruiting for the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps was closed in February by order of the War Office. The strength of the unit was more than twice that of the establishment, and until the strength is reduced to the establishment it is not proposed to re-open the corps to further enlistment.
§ Major HUNTIs it not rather hard on these barristers, who prepared it in peace time, that the Government should use their organisation to help other people, and then refuse to allow them to use it when they want it?
§ Mr. TENNANTAny barrister who is anxious to serve in His Majesty's Forces is probably doing so now by means either of this Officers' Training Corps or some other corps, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will bring to my notice the case of any barrister who has been denied the right of serving his country owing to the closing of the Inns of Court Officers' Training Corps, I will consider it as a special case.