§ 10. Major HUNTasked how many men there are now in the country of military age who are not either in the Army or Navy, and if he can say how many of these men are employed in trades which are not essential during the War; and, in view of the necessity of available men being put into military training at once, why so many young men are still allowed to shirk their first duty to their country?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that I cannot give him the information requested in the first part of the question, as it would be of great interest to the enemy. In regard to the last part of the question, I would remind him that those who hold legal exemptions are not all to be regarded as shirkers, and that orders have recently been issued for a review of certi- 186 ficates of exemption which will go far towards determining how many of the men under thirty-one really are in essential posts.