§ 26. Colonel ROYDSasked the Undersecretary of State for War, seeing that the Volunteer Force (Tribunal Exemptions) Order, 1918, as regards additional or substituted military duties not exceeding twelve hours a week only applies to such men as may be called up under the above Order and not to existing members of the force, he will state the cause of this differentiation; and whether, in the event of the Army Council directing such duties, the men performing them will receive pay and allowances?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe provisions of the Military Service Act, under which the Order in Council was made, only apply to men dealt with by tribunals on or after 298 the 1st May last, and there are no powers-to apply the special provisions of the Order to existing members of the Volunteer Force, unless and until their exemptions come up for review. The Order in Council provides, inter alia, that the Army Council may require men coming within its scope to do twelve hours a week of military duty, either in addition to or in lieu of the drills which they would otherwise have to perform as members of Section B of the Volunteer Force, but the question of the classes of men to whom this special provision should be applied is now under consideration, and I am afraid I cannot make any definite statement at present. It is hoped to issue full instructions shortly.