29. Mr. HAZLETONasked the Secretary of State for War how many millions of men of military age have been exempted in Great Britain from the operation of the Military iService Acts?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI gave some general information in a speech I made in this House on 12th October. The exact number of exemptions in force varies, of course, from day to day, and it is not desirable to add anything to the general statement just referred to at present. It may be necessary to do so later on.
§ Sir E. CARSONMay I ask whether it would be possible to give a Return to this House of the men of military age who are serving in the various Departments, showing their number and age?
§ Sir C. HENRYThere has been such a Return. Could it be brought up to date?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThat is what I was going to say to my right hon. Friend. To the best of my memory, there was such a Return. Since then I rather think a good many men have been released to join the Army; but it might be desirable to bring the Return up to date. I certainly remember going through the list at the War Office. I believe there are other Departments doing the same thing.
§ Sir E. CARSONCan the Return include all those men included in the figure of 3,600,000 that the right hon. Gentleman gave us the other day?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI was not aware that I had given a figure.
§ Sir E. CARSONMy right hon. Friend was comparing the figures with the French figures of 560,000.
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGENo; at any rate my right hon. Friend wants to know whether there are in the numbers those who, for one reason or the other, have been exempted. I should not like to say, but I think it is very likely that they are in the number exempted.
30. Mr. HAZELTONasked the Secretary of State for War how many men who offered themselves for enlistment in the Army in Ireland since mobilisation were not accepted on medical or other grounds?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI cannot yet say whether this information is obtainable.
§ Major NEWMANIs it not the fact that this is a recruiting award for these rejected men in Ireland?
Mr. HAZLETONDid not the right, hon. Gentleman promise to give the figure this week, in view of the fact that he gave the figure of 50,000 in debate
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEYes; I gave the figure, but I instantly corrected it on discovery. I am trying to find out what exactly is the actual figure. I find it extremely difficult to get accurate figures in connection with Ireland.
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEYes; I will. I promised my hon. Friend, and we are doing our best to get the figures, but it is very difficult.