§ 17. Mr. WINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the manner in which recruiting officers are dealing with exempted men at Seaham Harbour affecting Easington Colliery, New Seaham, and surrounding districts; is he aware that men exempted by the tribunals for agriculture are consequently called up and sent to barracks, as in the case of J. Norman, farmer, of Dalton-le-Dale, who was the only man on a farm of 60 acres; is he aware that this man was exempted by the Easington Colliery Tribunal on the 16th October, 1916, and was called up to appear before the Seaham Harbour recruiting officer on the 18th January, 1917, and sent straight away, without any reason being given for his exemption ceasing; and, seeing that the members of the Easington Colliery Tribunal are asking for the return of this man to civil life, will he say what action he proposes to take to prevent further decisions of this kind by this officer?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThere is no information in the War Office as to the matters which my hon. Friend brings to my notice, but inquiries are being made, and the result will be communicated to him.
§ Mr. WINGMay I ask the hon. Gentleman if really the tribunals are allowed to give judgments, and when they have done so whether they are respected or not?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONYes, they are.