Mr. T. WILSONasked the Minister of National Service if he is aware that boys who have attained the age of eighteen and who have not received their calling-up papers, and who report within thirty days at the recruiting office nearest their homes, are in many cases being immediately medically examined and sent to a depot without giving them the opportunity of returning to their homes or informing their employers; and will he take steps to stop this kind of treatment?
§ Mr. BECKThe cases referred to by my hon. Friend are presumably those of boys who attest voluntarily before attaining the age of eighteen years and thirty days. The mere fact of their attestation implies that they are willing, after medical examination, to join up for service rather than wait for a calling-up notice under the Military Service Act. Directors of recruiting are entitled to use their discretion in granting leave for a few days in special cases of this kind where application is made, on the understanding that such leave carries with it no pay or allowances. If my hon. Friend will inform me of any case in which such a request has been made and has been refused without good cause, I will have it investigated.