§ 37. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Secretary of State for War if he will put an immediate stop to the action of the recruiting officers calling up men for medical re-examination who had been rejected before 1st September and who did not receive notice to be re-examined before that date; and will he order all such notices to be cancelled at once?
§ Mr. FORSTERIf the hon. Member will furnish particulars as to the calling up of any man rejected under the Military Service Acts, to whom a notice on Army Form W. 3299 was not sent prior to 1st September, inquiries will be made.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTMay I ask whether a notice has just been sent out calling up for re-examination attested men who have been rejected since 14th August, 1915, and to whom an order calling them up for re-examination has not been sent before the 1st September?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am afraid I had better ask for notice of that question. I really have not had time this morning to prepare myself to stand cross-examination on matters that are exceedingly important, but very technical. I think the House knows that I have borne a very heavy part of War Office work under my own personal administration, and I really must ask the indulgence of the House in this difficult matter.
Mr. SCOTTI quite recognise that, but could the hon. Gentleman answer this question: Is it held that attested men are not entitled to the benefit of the two Military Service Acts, but that they are in a different position?
§ Mr. FORSTERI really could not make any general pronouncement.