§ 14. Major NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether inspections of factories, with a view to ascertaining the number of men of military age that in each case should be called up for military service, are usually made by a recruiting or other military officer who has no special knowledge of the mechanical skill or experience required of any of the employes; and whether he could arrange that on such occasions the officer should be accompanied by some independent person who has a technical knowledge of the work carried on at the factory visited?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe hon. and gallant Member will be aware that employers are required to post lists of all male employés between the ages of eighteen and forty-one in a conspicuous place on the premises in or about, which such persons are employed. From these lists the recruiting officers and others who are authorised by the Army Council to inspect such lists can see what the maximum number of men available for military service is, irrespectively of the needs of the factory. With regard to this latter point, the recruiting officer on making his visit would go equipped with special information supplied to him by the Advisory Committee, and would consequently be in a position to form an independent opinion on any points placed before him by officials of the factory.