§ 31. Mr. WATTasked the Minister of National Service if Private Donald Watson, No. 63227, Highland Light Infantry, was taken into the Army, notwithstanding that he held an exemption certificate from the local tribunal, which has never been reviewed or withdrawn, and that the authorities at Stirling had been informed that such is the case by both National Service representatives for the county of Bute; and whether he will take steps to see that Watson is immediately released and returned to civil life, and the authorities at Stirling asked to explain their action?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI have investigated this case, and it appears that Mr. Watson had not registered in the National Register as the proprietor of a business. He registered himself as a butcher, and, as such, was decertified, without reference to the tribunal, by the Military Service (Withdrawal of Exemptions) Order No. 1, of 1918. The technical procedure of the officials concerned was, therefore, correct; but on its being ascertained that Mr. Watson's liability to service was based on a technical point, and not on the real facts as to his occupation, arrangements were at once made for his return from the Army.