HC Deb 18 April 1918 vol 105 cc545-7
Mr. PRINGLE (by Private, Notice)

asked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware that considerable anxiety exists on the part of disabled and rejected men previously protected, as to whether their position is affected by the Military Service Bill; and if, for the purpose of assuring these men as to their position, he will state the classes of such men who will be excepted from liability for military service?

Mr. BECK

As regards the men mentioned in the question, the House will remember that on the Motion of my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Service, an amendment was moved lo the first Schedule of the Military Service Bill now before Parliament. The effect of this is to except from the operation of the Military Service Bill the classes of men who are set out in paragraph 4 of the Schedule to the Bill. For the purpose of informing the men concerned, I propose to read the paragraph referred to, which, I think, quite clearly states the position, and is as follows:

  1. 4. (a) Disabled men who during the present War have served outside the British Islands or at sea, or who have served in the field, or at sea in any previous War.
  2. (b) Disabled men who, though not having served as aforesaid, have during the present War served for not less than a week in any of His Majesty's Forces (other than Reserve Forces); and men who having been officially reported as wounded during the present War, have been discharged in consequence of the termination of their period of service, if in either case they are engaged in whole-time work which is for the time being certified by the Director-General of National Service to be of national importance,
  3. (c) Disabled men, or men who have been medically rejected after offering themselves for enlistment, if on further medical examination after the 5th day of April 1917 in accordance with the Regulation of the Army Council or as respects an examination after the date on which the Ministry of National Service Order, 1917, came in force, in accordance with the Regulation of the Director General of National Service they have been certined to be totally and permanently unfit for any form of military service?
In this paragraph the expression "disabled men" means men (including officers) who have left or been discharged from the naval, military, or air forces in consequence of disablement or ill-health.

Mr. PRINGLE

Does that cover men who were re-examined last year under the Review of Exceptions Act and have received a certificate that they are totally and permanently unfit for any form of military service?

Mr. BECK

To the best of my belief that is so, but my hon. Friend knows that there are very technical as well as legal points, and I do not want to be committed, but I will inquire.

Mr. HOGGE

Do the words "offering themselves for enlistment" cover men who were called up in the ordinary course?

Mr. BECK

I must have notice of that question.

Mr. BILLING

Having regard to the question which the hon. Member for North-East Lanarkshire proposes to raise on the Adjournment in the House to-night, may I say, in reference to the attitude of a strong Minister—

HON. MEMBERS

Order!

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member had better reserve his speech until the matter comes on.

Mr. BONAR LAW

I certainly shall not be present to take part in the discussion.