§ Mr. KINGasked the Minister of National Service whether he will explain the use of Form 203; what names are selected to be sent in on this form; and 1885W whether it is to the advantage or disadvantage of recruits for their names to be entered on it?
§ Mr. BECKM.N.S. Form R203, to which I presume the hon. Member refers, is submitted by Assistant Directors of National Service throughout the country to the War Office requesting special authority for a man's posting to a corps or regiment where such posting requires the special sanction of the War Office. The question as to whether this form is submitted or not rests with the Assistant Director of National Service, who uses his discretion as to whether there is a likelihood of special authority being granted by the War Office or not. The form is returned by the War Office to the Assistant Director of National Service, stating whether the man can be accepted for the corps or regiment mentioned, and the form is attached to his documents when he is sent forward to the Army reception depots for posting. This form is also used in a precisely similar manner for a man who desires to join the Royal Air Force where such posting needs special sanction. In this case the form is submitted to the Headquarters of the Ministry of National Service, who, after consultation with the Air Ministry, decide whether the man may be accepted or not.