§ 82. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the effect of the provision of the Military Service (No. 2) Act, 1918, that every 991 male British subject who has at any time since the 14th day of August, 1915, been, or who for the time being is in Great Britain, is liable to military service upon the Convention with France, providing that British subjects in the latter are liable to such military service as they would be if they were in the former country; and whether British subjects who have not visited Great Britain during the qualifying period are liable to military service under the Convention while they are exempted by the Act?
§ Mr. BECKMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The effect of the new Military Service Act upon the existing Convention with France is that any British subjects who are made liable for service under that Convention, and who have not visited Great Britain since the 14th of August, 1915, will, if they return to this country, become immediately liable for service instead of having a period of thirty days after the date of their arrival, as they would have had under previous conditions. As regards those who have visited this country or resided therein since the 14th August, 1915, they become liable to the provisions of the new Act upon arrival in Great Britain.
§ Sir J. D. REESIn what category are those who remain in France, or how do they stand?
§ Mr. BECKThey stand in the same position as they did under the Convention with the French Government, except that thirty days which was allowed on landing in this country is no longer permitted.
§ Sir J. D. REESThen they are liable?