§ Mr. BETTERTONasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the disadvantage as compared with men of similar age who did not attest, inasmuch as such men were not called up on the signing of the Armistice, he will give directions that men who attested and were over the age of forty-one when called up under the Military Service (No. 2) Act, 1918, shall be forthwith demobilised and not passed into the Reserve under the Army Order of the 3rd December, 1918?
Captain GUESTMen over forty-one who attested and were called up under the Military Service (No.2) Act, 1018, are at no disadvantage as compared with men who were liable, but were not called up at the date of the signing of the Armistice. The former, on being demobilised, are transferred to the Army Reserve referred to by my hon. Friend, and are only liable to recall in the event of military emergency, prior to the termination of the War, after which they will be discharged with all convenient speed. On transfer to the Reserve they are not subject to military law, but merely have to notify changes of address to their record offices. The latter are still liable to be called up at any time prior to the lapse of the Military Service Acts, which will be on the ratification of peace.