HL Deb 23 February 1916 vol 21 c184
LORD MONK BRETTON

My Lords, I rise to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Paper—

To ask His Majesty's Government whether when a man has presented himself for enlistment in His Majesty's Army under the so-called "group system of the Earl of Derby's scheme" and has signed on and taken the oath, and has subsequently been examined by a doctor, and has not received from that doctor or other official any notification or indication as to whether he is medically fit to be enrolled in His Majesty's Service or not—

  1. 1. Any notice will be sent him if he is medically unfit and not required for His Majesty's Service, and how soon after the medical examination that notice will be sent him; or
  2. 2. If he is medically fit, whether he will be so informed before he is required to join the Colours and in time to make reasonable private arrangements.

THE PAYMASTER-GENERAL (LORD NEWTON)

My Lords, it is clearly very undesirable that any man should be left in doubt as to whether he has been passed fit or not, and I think I can take it upon myself to give the noble Lord an assurance that in future any man who is in the position described in the Question will be entitled to a categorical answer to the inquiry whether he has passed. Should it not be possible to give the answer immediately, then if the man will write subsequently to the recruiting officer he will receive a reply as soon as possible. I hope that this will satisfy my noble friend.

LORD MONK BRETTON

I am touch obliged to the noble Lord.

House adjourned at Eight o'clock, till To-morrow, half-past Eleven o'clock.