§ 42. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Secretary of State for War if he will order the immediate transfer to a non-combatant corps of Private G. R. E. Murray, No. 4033, C Company, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, now stationed at Bedford, seeing that this man has a certificate of exemption from combatant service granted to him by the Urms-ton local tribunal; and seeing that this man has been illegally and deliberately attached to a combatant unit notwithstanding his protests, will suitable punishment be inflicted upon the military authorities responsible for this outrage?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have made inquiries into this case and I am informed by the Officer Commanding 2/5th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, that it was first brought to his notice on the 3rd August, when he found on investigation that Private Murray held an exemption certificate from combatant service. So far as the evidence available shows it was the man's own fault for not stating earlier that he held a non-combatant certificate. Steps were at once taken by the Commanding Officer for the transfer of Private Murray to the Non-Combatant Corps, and the matter is being dealt with accordingly.