§ 36. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Minister of National Service whether it is permissible to call up men for military service before they have been examined and graded by a National Service medical board and before the time has elapsed for them to enter such appeals as they are entitled to enter on personal grounds; and, if such a course is not permissible, whether he will state the proper course to be followed and give directions to the local authorities to adhere to this course?
§ Sir A. GEDDESIt is not permissible to call up for service men of the new military age or lads who have newly attained military age until after they have been called for medical examination and have either been examined or have failed to report for examination. The procedure with regard to other men remains substantially as it has been since the inauguration of compulsory service. Under it, no calling-up notice can defeat any un-exhausted rights which a man may possess to have an appeal on personal or other grounds heard by a tribunal.
§ Mr. SNOWDENIs it permissible for a man when he reaches the age of eighteen to be examined within a week of reaching that age, and sent into the Army at once after the examination without being given an opportunity of appealing?
§ Sir A. GEDDESNo. I have stated the exact opposite—that it was necessary for a man on attaining military age to be examined before he receives a calling-up notice.
§ Mr. SNOWDENWhy is the practice stated in the question carried out?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI was not aware that it was carried out. If the hon. Member will give me particulars of any case in which it is happening, I will be very pleased to see that it is discontinued.
§ Mr. SNOWDENI submitted a case in a question in this House nearly a fortnight ago, and I have not had any assurance on the point.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIn view of the fact that the practice indicated by the right hon. Gentleman has not been followed in some cases, will he give directions to the local authorities to adhere to the course which he has indicated?
§ Sir A. GEDDESVery strict instructions have been given to them, and even so late as yesterday where it was found that these instructions were not being followed further instructions were sent out, and I do not think that there will be any further cases.