HC Deb 20 June 1916 vol 83 cc27-8W
Mr. JOWETT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the remark of the military representative at the West Central District Military Service Appeals Tribunal, sitting at Bradford on 31st May, on the non-appearance of a man who had died since his first application, when he said that he had got what he asked for, non-combatant service; and whether he will take steps to prevent military representatives making such uncalled-for comments in future?

Mr. TENNANT

I understand that a remark in the sense mentioned was made by a local military representative, but that it was a personal and private remark not addressed to the members of the tribunal, and probably not heard by them, but made to an acquaintance of the speaker. I think rather undue importance has been given to this incident, but at the same time I agree that military representatives should not indulge, inobiter dicta, and I would add that according to my information these representatives in the main conduct themselves with great tact and discretion.