Sir HERBERT ROBERTSasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that a number of starred coal miners have attested under the impression that it was necessary for them to do so in order to obtain the benefit of Lord Derby's scheme; and whether he can give an assurance that the attestation of such men under these circumstances will not affect the conditions of their liability for military service?
§ Mr. TENNANTA coal miner who has been attested for Army Reserve, Section B, 47W will, if he belongs to any of the classes of colliery workers directed to be starred, whether he has in fact been starred or not, have a mark placed against his name in the Army Register and will not be called up for military service unless the Home Office are of opinion that it is no longer necessary to retain him in civil employment.
§ Mr. HENRY M'LARENasked the Under-Secretary for War whether, in view of the amount of work that will be thrown on members of the advisory committees under Lord Derby's scheme, the War Office propose to permit the employment of a clerical staff; and whether they are prepared to pay the cost of such clerical staff and the other expenses of the advisory committee?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt is not anticipated that any large amount of clerical work will be thrown upon the members of the advisory committees, and therefore the employment of a clerical staff by the committee will not be sanctioned by the War Office. Arrangements are in contemplation whereby clerical work in connection with an advisory committee shall be performed by the clerical staff attached to the recruiting officer or the military representative.
§ Mr. H. M'LARENalso asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that while farm hands are starred under Lord Derby's scheme fanners themselves are not starred; and whether he will take steps to place the farmers in the same position as their employés?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe War Office is not responsible for the classification of industries that have been starred. For some reason it is a fact that farmers as farmers have not been regarded as a starred occupation. The starring was long ago completed, and the War Office are not in a position to reopen the question of starring additional occupations.
Mr. H. M'CLARENfurther asked the Under-Secretary for War whether employers can appeal to the local tribunals in respect of men such as leading hosiery hands and colliery surface-workers who are vital to their industries but who are not on the reserved list; and whether such appeal can be made in respect of men who have not been attested under Lord Derby's scheme?
48W
§ Mr. TENNANTThe employer of a man who is not in a reserved occupation or who is not starred or badged can, with the consent of the man, if he has been attested for Army Reserve, Section B, put forward a claim, on the ground that the man is indispensable for the maintenance of the business of the employer, before the local tribunal for the area in which the place of employment is situate. No such appeal can be made in respect of men who have not been attested under Lord Derby's scheme, as obviously no question of postponement to a later group can arise if a man has not been placed in any group.