§ Mr. EVELYN CECILasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many Red Cross men of military age are being retained in the London Ambulance Column, with the promise that certificates of indispensability will be granted them, which there is every reason to believe will be effective with the recruiting tribunals, notwithstanding that many men over military age are being thrown out of the London Ambulance Column solely because they are unable to give double the time they have been giving for many months past; and whether he will look into the matter?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have no knowledge of any certificate of indispensability having been promised to men of military age in the London Ambulance Column, nor is there any reason to think that such certificates would have any influence with local tribunals in view of the fact that the Red Cross Society have arranged with Lord Derby to release every available man possible for military service. The London Ambulance Column is, I understand, a purely voluntary body, and any arrangements made for refusing the services of any man would not come before the War Office.