94. Mr. LLEWELYN WILLIANISasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the case of Private R. A. Jones, who enlisted on Friday, 15th June, in the Motor Transport, Army Service Corps, at Grove Park, London; whether he is aware that Private Jones had applied for a commission at the end of May; that on 14th June he received a printed notice from the War Office asking him to call with reference to his application on Tuesday, 20th June; that he called at the War Office on Tuesday as instructed and saw two officers, a major and a captain; that the major told him that, as he had enlisted, his application could not be entertained without the signature of his commanding officer; that Private Jones had obtained leave from his commanding officer to call at the War Office after he had shown him the form he had received from the War Office; that on his return to Grove Park an order was 537 received from the War Office that Private Jones should be mobilised at once because he had proceeded without authority to the War Office, and that it would be better for his health that he should go at once Overseas; that he was taken on Thursday, 22nd June, to the Army Service Corps depot, Catford, to proceed Overseas as an interpreter; whether any steps had been taken to ascertain the qualifications of Private Jones as an interpreter, inasmuch as he is entirely ignorant of any modern language except English and Welsh; whether it is in accordance with Army Regulations that a recruit should be sent Overseas within a week of the date of his enlistment; and, if not, whether he will take steps to bring Private Jones back to this country to undergo the usual training?
§ Mr. TENNANTMr. R. A. Jones forwarded an application for a commission, and he was invited to attend for an interview at the War Office on the 20th June, with a view to his qualifications being examined, but Private R. A. Jones, a serving soldier, actually attended in answer to the invitation. As Mr. R. A. Jones had become Private R. A. Jones in the interval, he was rightly and properly informed that his application could not be considered unless it were signed by his commanding officer giving the necessary recommendation and permission to apply. I am informed that Private R. A. Jones had not the permission of his commanding officer to attend at the War Office on the 20th June. His form of application was forwarded to his commanding officer for the necessary recommendation, and Private R. A. Jones will doubtless be permitted to attend at the War Office with a view to obtaining a commission if his commanding officer is able to recommend him. There is no question of his being ordered away until it has been decided whether or no he is fitted for commissioned rank.
Mr. WILLIAMSIs it not a fact that Private Jones was mobilised, was given his kit and told that he was going to be embarked last Friday for East Africa, and that the countermanding order from the War Office was only received after this question was put down?
§ Mr. TENNANTI could not be expected to be aware of those facts.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs Private Jones a baptist?