§ 50. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Prime Minister if he has received a letter from Mr. G. Simpson, of Street, Somerset, with reference to his fourth son, who is to be called up under the Military Service Act, 1016; and, seeing that Mr. Simpson has three sons already serving with the Colours and that his fourth son is the sole support of his father, who is suffering from incurable cancer, and of his mother, who has heart trouble, and in view of the further fact that the son in question has only been passed as fit for labour at home, will he take steps to have the son released from the Military Service Act so as to prevent the hardship to the parents which will otherwise be caused?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. A letter from Mr. Simpson has been received. I am informed that Mr. Simpson's son has been given two months' exemption, and although it is stated that the certificate is non-renewable, it is open to the son or to someone in respect of him to apply to the tribunal for leave to apply for a renewal. It is also open to Mr. Simpson to have appealed from the decision of the local tribunal if he was dissatisfied with the decision. Parliament appointed tribunals to deal with claims for exemptions and the War Office are unable to intervene.