13. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the 'Secretary of State for War whether the Under-Secretary of State for War has been consulted with regard to the calling up for medical re-examination of all attested men who have been rejected by medical boards since 14th August, 1915, and to whom the Army Council has not, before 1st September, 1&16, sent a notice calling them up for re-examination; and whether he has sanctioned this breach of the pledge given to the attested men that if they volunteered under the Derby scheme they would not be placed in a less favourable position than those who refused to volunteer, and who now in such circumstances, have their medical rejection regarded as final?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave the hon. Member on 21st November. To call an attested man up for examination after the examination of unattested men is surely more to his advantage than calling him up before the unattested men.
Mr. SCOTTHas Lord Derby been consulted with regard to this breach of the pledge which was given to the men who have volunteered?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes.
Mr. SCOTTIs it not admitted that men who volunteered under Lord Derby's scheme were promised that they would not be placed in a less favourable position than men who had refused to volunteer and have waited for compulsion?
§ Mr. FORSTERLord Derby takes the view, and I share it, that they are not placed in a more unfavourable position.
Mr. SCOTTWill the hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Secretary of State to induce him to be present when the matter is discussed to-morrow evening on the Adjournment?