HC Deb 17 October 1916 vol 86 cc357-8
81. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the Secretary of State for War under whose direction and control the recent rounding-up of men at railway stations, cinemas, theatres, and other public places was conducted; under what legal sanction innocent people were arrested and detained; how many men were so arrested and detained; and how many of them were found to be absentees under the Military Service Act?

Mr. FORSTER

The rounding-up of men referred to by my hon. Friend was organised by the military authorities concerned, and had the approval of the War Office. Every man holding a certificate of exemption from military service must produce the certificate or give particulars as to the authorities by which the certificate was granted if so required by police constables or by a person authorised for the purpose by the Army Council. I cannot give the numbers of persons dealt with during the recent organised examination of certificates nor the number of absentees directly traced through them, but these examinations were successful in obtaining a large reduction in the total of unattested men whose whereabouts were unknown to the military registration authorities.

Mr. HOGGE

Is there any intention of having a round-up of the Government offices?

Mr. FORSTER

The staff of the Government offices is being very carefully examined at the present time to see how many more can be taken out.

Mr. HOGGE

Would the same means be effective in the case of the Government offices supposing you stopped them as you did at the stations?

Mr. FORSTER

I do not think that is necessary. The object of the round-up was to get men who could not be traced.

Mr. FLAVIN

Is there any rule or regulation as to whether a man should carry his certificate of exemption on his person or keep it at his residence?

Mr. FORSTER

Without notice, I am not sure whether there is any regulation.

Mr. FLAVIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that men have been arrested by the military and constabulary in "London because their certificate was not on their person, but at their well-known residence?

Mr. FORSTER

If he has his certificate on his person it will render him immune from arrest.