HC Deb 24 July 1918 vol 108 cc1787-8
21 and 22. Colonel ASHLEY

asked the Under-Secretary for War (1) whether he can take steps to have Signaller G. Chapman, No. 23878, Signalling School, British Expeditionary Force, transferred to home service, in view of the fact that he is the only son of a widow, has received four wounds and suffered from trench fever, and was quite recently operated upon for a disease of the ear and nose; (2) whether he can arrange that the last son, who was called to the Colours four months ago, of Mrs. A. Hughes, of 101, Rhodeswell Road, Limehouse, may be retained on home service, in view of the fact that her eldest son was killed at Loos, another son is a prisoner of war in Germany, a third is serving on the Western Front, and a fourth has been wounded in Egypt?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I regret that neither of these hard cases come within the ruling as to home service, and I cannot, therefore, take any special action.

Colonel ASHLEY

Does not the case in Question 22 come within the rule and under the pledge which was given by the Minister of National Service in this House?

Mr. MACPHERSON

No such pledge was given by the War Office.

31. Mr. JOWETT

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he will consider the case of a widow, afflicted by sorrow and unable to work, who has lost her husband since the War began, has lost one son in the War, and has two sons serving, one in Salonika, one she has not seen for three years, and one son training in England, with a view to the release of one of her remaining sons?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I am afraid I cannot give any undertaking that either of the sons will be released, but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with full details I shall be pleased to have the case carefully and sympathetically considered.

38. Mr. J. M. HENDERSON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of a family where there were four sons, aged twenty-two, twenty, nineteen, and eighteen, and the first three have been killed in action, arrangements will be made to secure that the remaining lad will not be called up or, if called up, will only be employed in non-combatant service?

Mr. MACPHERSON

The question of calling up any individual for military service is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Service. If, however, the lad referred to is called up, the case would receive careful and sympathetic consideration by the War Office.