§ 6. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the meaning of the phrase "discharged as surplus to military requirements"; how many men have been so discharged; what was the reason for their discharge; and what was their medical category?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe term "surplus to military requirements" means that a soldier is surplus for the time being to the needs of the Army for men in a low medical category or that on account of trade qualifications a soldier would be of greater use to the nation in civil life than in the Army. I regret that it is not desirable in the public interest to furnish the figures asked for by my hon. Friend.