HC Deb 21 March 1917 vol 91 cc1899-900
62. Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the military representative on the Bridlington (Yorkshire) military service tribunal is a Councillor Harker, whose wife is a member of the tribunal; and, seeing that it is the common practice of the military representative to threaten the tribunal before a decision is given that, unless the decision is in accord with his demand, he will take the case to the Appeal Tribunal, and in view of the resentment of many members of the tribunal with the conduct of the military representative, will he take steps to have some other person appointed in his place?

Mr. MACPHERSON

No complaints have been received about the way that Mr. Harker performs his duties, which are voluntary, and it is not proposed to take any action in regard to him.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Does the hon. Gentleman think it a desirable thing that a military representative on a tribunal should, before the tribunal decides a case, say that he will appeal unless he gets his own way?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I must have further particulars about that allegation. I cannot accept my hon. Friend's statement.

Mr. SNOWDEN

It is a fact.

64. Mr. GODFREY COLLINS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what instructions have been given to the military representatives on the military service tribunals to carry out the undertaking given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the Cabinet regard the production of food as even more important than the sending of additional men into the Army?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Instructions have been given to the recruiting officers in England and Wales that in withdrawing men from agriculture for service in the Army the necessity for maintaining food production must not be lost sight of, and that for this purpose opportunity should be given to the local agricultural representatives to confer with recruiting officers as to the availability for service of individual men. Similar instructions have been issued in Scotland through the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Scottish Command.