HC Deb 21 March 1917 vol 91 cc1896-7
44. Mr. JOWETT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that men who are classified in category C1 for Home service are being drafted into labour battalions for service abroad; whether this procedure is in accordance with Army Council instructions; and, if not, whether he will take steps to secure-the observance of the said instructions?

61. Mr. SNOWDEN

asked by what authority men who are in C category are being sent abroad attached to labour battalions, seeing that these men have been passed for Home service only?

Mr. MACPHERSON

The authority is-that of the Army Council. I would remind my hon. Friends that these classifications are not statutory, but are a convenient method of expressing certain general standards of medical fitness.

Mr. HOGGE

Will my hon. Friend say whether these Army Council instructions-are available to Members of this House, or whether there are any in existence dealing with matters of this kind of which we do not know?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I will send my hon. Friend a copy of this particular Army Council instruction, No. 204.

Mr. HOGGE

What I asked was whether there are others in existence which are not published?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Yes, though not referring to this. But every Army Council instruction is not of public utility.

Mr. HOGGE

No, but it affects the public.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Are these men medically re-examined?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I understand they are medically re-examined. Whether they are re-classified I do not know; but I may tell my hon. Friend that we are reviewing all the classifications.