§ 5. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the four sons of Mrs. M. Lowe, of 38, Acclam Street, Station Town, Wingate, county Durham, enlisted early in the War; that three of the sons have sacrificed their lives; that the sole surviving son, Private Matthew Lowe, No. 1263, 3rd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, has now, on reaching military age, been called up from Class W, in which he was placed after serving nine months in the trenches at the age of sixteen; and whether, in view of this family's record and the fact that the mother is old and in delicate health, he will take steps to retain this soldier in England?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThis case is being inquired into, and will receive sympathetic consideration.
§ Colonel ASHLEYMay I take it, then, that if the facts are as stated in the question this man will be retained for home service?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI would not like to answer that straight away. I have promised that it will be sympathetically considered.