4. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in spite of the Order of 13th July, to the effect that attested men who are, upon re-examination, rejected as medically unfit should be given a certificate of discharge, it has been consistently disobeyed by the military authorities; whether he is aware that the Secretary of the War Office, in reply to a rejected attested man who asked for his discharge, has stated that discharge certificates are not now being given; and whether the Secretary of State proposes to take any steps to enforce the observance of the Army Order by his officials?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, Sir; I am not aware that the War Office instructions are consistently disobeyed by the military authorities. As I have stated before, the whole question is under consideration, and if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the letter to which he refers, the whole matter will be investigated.
Mr. SCOTTWhore an attested man, who, under this Order, is entitled to his discharge, but which has been withheld by the Army authorities, can he now get his discharge on application?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI can only state that the whole matter is under consideration. According to the answer which I gave about a fortnight ago to my hon. Friend, I think he is entitled to his discharge.
Mr. SCOTTIf he is entitled to his discharge under the Order, and if that discharge is wrongfully withheld from him, will he—in spite of the consideration which is going on just now—get his discharge on application?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIf my hon. Friend will give me specific cases, I will certainly make inquiry.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs my hon. Friend aware that many of these men have been refused employment by employers because they cannot produce their certificate of discharge, and that consequently the services of those men are lost to the country?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI was not aware of that. I am very sorry if that has been so.