§ 70. Mr. T. TAYLORasked the Minister of National Service whether he is willing that all instructions to National Service officers should be made public so that the rights of men liable to military service may be safeguarded against mistakes on the part of officials?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe rights of men liable to military service do not depend upon Departmental instructions, but are 219 governed by Statutes, by Orders in Council, and by Regulations, by Proclamations, and by Orders made under the Statutes, to all of which the utmost publicity is given. Officials at the local offices of the Ministry are always ready to answer any questions or to give advice to men who are in doubt as to their military position.
§ Mr. TAYLORMay we take it that the right hon. Gentleman is quite agreeable to have all the Regulations addressed to the tribunals published?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThat question does not lie with me, but, I believe, with the President of the Local Government Board. As a matter of fact, all the instructions are issued to the tribunals.
§ Mr. KILEYWould it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to send a copy of these instructions he issues to his own staff to the chairmen of tribunals, so that they can work in conformity with the Department, whereas now tribunals find themselves sometimes in opposition to the Ministry of National Service, a circumstance which could be avoided if the suggestion were adopted of sending all Instructions to the chairmen?
§ Sir A. GEDDESAs a matter of fact, a great many of the instructions issued by the Ministry of National Service are made available for the chairmen of tribunals.
§ Sir A. GEDDESAt all events, the instructions issued to the representatives of the National Service Department go to the chairmen of tribunals, but a very large number of our instructions have no interest or bearing upon the work of the tribunals.