§ 20. Mr. GEORGE LAMBERTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the military authorities are aware that the calling up of farriers and shoeing-smiths in country parishes must bring to a standstill agricultural cultivation involving the use of horses and implements; and whether instructions will be given to exempt such men?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe grant of exemption from military service is within the province of the tribunals appointed for the purpose, who are conversant with the local necessities. No special instructions can be given that men to whom the tribunals have refused exemption after consideration of their cases are to be otherwise exempted. There is, however, an agreement at present current with the Board of Agriculture under which, in certain cases, instructions are given to military representatives not to oppose the grant by the tribunals of exemption to men employed in the repair of agricultural implements.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWhat is the instruction which has been agreed upon between the Board of Agriculture and the War Office?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot say offhand, but I will endeavour to send my right hon. Friend a copy.