HC Deb 21 May 1910 vol 116 cc371-2
38. Colonel ASHLEY

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state why Gunner F. Woodgate, No. 21640, 115th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, France, has not been released from the Service, in view of the fact that he was recalled to the Colours on 7th August, 1914, and became time-expired in October, 1917; and, if it is claimed that he is a pivotal man for the purposes of Army demobilisation, what is his pivotal employment?

Captain GUEST

Gunner Woodgate is not retained by the War Office as a pivotal man; he is probably temporarily retained by his unit owing to his having some specialist qualification. Senior officers have been appointed to inspect registers of units with a view to ensuring that no officers or men who are eligible for demobilisation are being retained without good and sufficient cause.

Colonel ASHLEY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the commanding officer told Gunner Woodgate that he was kept on because he did not want the unit to fall below the paper strength, and is that a correct reason for retaining a man who has served since August, 1914?

Captain GUEST

Until the hon. and gallant Member supplied me with that specific reason for retention I was not aware of it.

Colonel ASHLEY

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman please communicate with the officer commanding on this fact, and ask for his considered reason why this man is being retained?

Captain GUEST

Most certainly.

39. Mr. CHARLES EDWARDS

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider his decision in the demobi- lisation of Lance-Corporal R. T. Brown, No. 106115, Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), 5th Auxiliary Petrol Company, British Expeditionary Force, seeing that he joined the Army in 1915, that he is not now engaged in motor transport work, that being secretary and manager for his father who has a large hauling and contracting business, and that he owns a quarry which will be required to supply stone for building about 2,000 houses, he could, if released, employ a large number of men, the business at present being practically at a standstill

Captain GUEST

Corporal Brown is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If he joined for continuous service prior to the 1st January, 1916, he is eligible for demobilisation, unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service and his term of Colour service is not completed. If he is eligible, he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit. Senior officers have been appointed to inspect the registers of units with a view to ensuring that no officer or man who is eligible for demobilisation is being retained without good and sufficient cause.

60. Mr. RENDALL

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state why Private F. D. Webb, No. 190951, 242nd Labour Company, after serving in Italy and France with the 48th Division, is again being sent to France; whether he is aware that Private Webb is the only man of the detachment that he was with in Italy who has not been demobilised; and whether, as this man's physique unfits him for combatant service, he will give instructions for his discharge in spite of the fact that he joined the Army in February, 1916?

Captain GUEST

Private Webb is pre sumably being sent to France for duty with the Labour Corps and not with a combatant unit. He is apparently liable for retention, and his discharge cannot there fore be authorised.