§ Mr. ATKEYasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the dissatis- 62W faction felt by men in the Army by reason of the fact that no distinction is drawn between men who voluntarily attested in 1915 under the Lord Derby scheme, but who were not, for very good reasons, called up until 1916, and those who were finally conscripted under the Military Service Act; if he will consider the possibility of making some distinction; and if, when the final demobilisation of the present Army of Occupation is commenced, preference will be given to those who voluntarily attested?
Captain GUESTI would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on the 24th February and 20th March to the hon. Members for Walsall and Newbury, respectively, to the effect that, in view of the requirements of the Armies of Occupation, it is not possible to grant special treatment as regards demobilisation to the very numerous class of voluntarily attested men referred to by my hon. Friend. With regard to the last part of the question, I cannot at the present time give any undertaking on such a point.