§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that W. H. Thompson, No. 28938, North Stafford Regiment, who is now awaiting court-martial at Whittington. Barracks, has served two sentences of six months' hard labour and has just completed a third sentence of two years' hard labour; and whether he will now authorise this man's discharge from the Army in order that he may resume his work of legal adviser to the Navvies' Union?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to a question which he asked on the 26th February, to the effect that it is not possible to reconsider the general issues; involved in these cases until demobilisation has made further progress.
§ Lieutenant-Colonel A. MURRAYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Sydney S. Smith, No. 037238, 136 S Company, Royal Army-Ordnance Corps, the Arsenal, Ferozepore, Punjab, India, is a grocer and wine merchant, carrying on business in Stonehaven, 1087W and that, on joining the Army in 1917, he was under the necessity of leaving his business and his staff under the control of his wife; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in the month of February, the War Office intimated to Private Smith's solicitors that the latter should approach Private Smith's commanding officer in order to secure his demobilisation, and that, subsequent to this intimation, his civil appointments form was signed by his commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Lethbridge, to the effect that he could be released from the Arsenal immediately on receipt of a wire from the War Office; whether he is aware that a medical certificate has been signed by a doctor in Stonehaven certifying that Mrs. Sydney Smith is at present debilitated and on the verge of a breakdown in her health on account of hard work and mental strain through attending to her husband's licensed grocery business during the absence of her husband in India; and whether, in view of all these circumstances, he can see his way to arrange for the immediate release of Private Smith from the Army on one-man business and compassionate grounds?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries are being made into this case, and I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result as early as possible.
§ Sir ARCHIBALD WILLIAMSONasked the Secretary of State for War if he can see his way to recommend the release of Private H. I. Simpson, No. 154609, Royal Army Medical Corps, now stationed at the Military Hospital, Shorncliffe, seeing that this man is over forty-five years of age and has employment waiting for him in Elgin?
Captain GUESTI am having inquiry made into this case, and my right hon. Friend will be informed of the result as soon as possible.