§ 28. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the remarks of the Chairman of the House of Commons Tribunal as to the powers of tribunals to exempt from military service the last surviving son of a widow of whom at least one son has been killed or has died by reason of service; and whether he will extend such powers so as to give tribunals power to exempt from military service the last surviving adult son of a widow or of a woman whose husband is a prisoner of war?
Mr. WALSHTribunals are authorised to grant exemption on the ground of serious hardship to a man who comes under the recent Proclamation only if he is "the last surviving son of a widow, of whom at least one son has died as a result of wounds received in, or sickness contracted by, service with the armed forces during the present War." My right hon. Friend has no authority to extend the terms of the Proclamation.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWould legislation be required to extend the powers in the manner indicated or could it be done in any other way?
Mr. WALSHI would not like to say offhand. It might not be that special legislation would be necessary, but I cannot answer definitely on that point.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill my hon. Friend consider the desirability of extending the powers immediately in the manner indicated?
Mr. WALSHRecent incidents have brought home to us the desirability of the whole matter being considered. The matter is under consideration, but I cannot make any definite promise.