Mr. C. WASONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Army Council Instruction No. 502, of 1916, which states that officers and seamen of the Mercantile Marine are not to be called up for military service or accepted for direct enlistment is still in force; is he aware that Robert Griffiths, second mate, of 29, Watford Road, Anfield, Liverpool, was forcibly recruited for the Army on 19th June last, and is now doing labour work in the I. W. and D. R. E.; if he is aware that representations made in his behalf by the Mercantile Marine Service Association, the senior representative body of British shipmasters and officers, to the principal recruiting officer at Liverpool on 20th June are still without reply; if he is aware that, notwithstanding the urgent need for junior officers and seamen for merchant ships, the Army recruiting officers are enlisting seamen without inquiry into their protests; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. BECKMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The instruction932W referred to is in force, but with this modification, that seamen may offer themselves for voluntary enlistment. The case to which the hon. Member refers has already been brought to my notice. Inquiries are being made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result as soon as it is known. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. In any cases which have been brought to my notice of members of the Mercantile Marine who have been irregularly enlisted, action has been immediately taken to effect their release in order that they may return to the Mercantile Marine.