§ 23. Mr. JOWETTasked, concerning the case of a man who is permanently crippled as the result of paralysis, and whose fourth and last son, a boy of eighteen, on whom the maintenance of the father has latterly, to a considerable extent, depended, has been called up for military service, whether, having regard to the fact that the crippled man's other three sons are in the Army, one in hospital suffering from shell-shock, one in hospital wounded in both legs, and another in the trenches in France, and to the further fact that the crippled man is now left at home with a wife and dependent daughter to maintain on a total income of 30s. per week, out of which 7s. has to be paid weekly for rent and 4s. 6d. for insurance, he will make inquiries into the case with a view to discharging the boy of eighteen from the Army if the facts are as stated?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIf my hon. Friend will furnish me with full particulars of this case, including the name, regiment, and regimental number of the soldier, I will have inquiry made.
§ 74. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Minister of National Service if he will give instructions that Walter Taylor, of 66, Mosley Street, Blackburn, must not be called up for military service as one of his brothers has died a prisoner of war, a second has been serving in the Army for over two years, and a third is a helpless cripple from birth, and the son in question is the last son at home; will he also take into consideration that this son is Grade 2 and is an overlooker in a weaving shed, which is a protected trade for certain ages; and, 1699 further, will he bear in mind, in considering the matter, that the Appeal Tribunal at Preston have just expressed their regret that, owing to the Proclamation cancelling exemptions between eighteen and twenty four years of age, they cannot deal with the case as one of domestic hardship?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY Of NATIONAL SERVICE (Mr. Beck)In view of cases of extreme hardship brought to his notice, my right hon. Friend decided to relax by administrative action the rules with regard to the recruiting of persons affected by the Proclamations of 20th April and 4th June. He accordingly gave discretion to Directors of National Service in the various regions indefinitely to postpone the call to join the Colours of men whose cases are clearly exceptional, even if outside the strict limits laid down by the Proclamations. I am having inquiries made into the case referred to by the hon. Member, and will inform him of the result.