§ 32. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Captain H. J. Inman, late Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry, after serving in Gibraltar, India, and Gallipoli, resigned his commission at 765 Trimulghery on the 31st March, 1917, as a protest against what he considered unjust treatment by his commanding officer; whether, receiving no notification as to whether his resignation would be accepted or not, this officer obtained leave to England on private affairs in September, 1917, and on arrival offered his services to the War Office in France, the Mediterranean, or Egypt, provided he was granted an exchange from the battalion in which he was serving; whether he was then informed that he would be held to his resignation of the 31st March; and whether any inquiry into the case is to be held, as desired by Captain Inman, seeing that he came forward and offered his services voluntarily in the early days of the War and served for three years and four months.?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy hon. and gallant Friend is misinformed. It was considered that some of the officers of the 1st Garrison Battalion were not up to the required standard of efficiency, and in some cases were too old for their rank. Captain Inman was one of these officers, and, as a result of an interview with the Brigade Commander, he applied to resign his commission. It was decided to accept his resignation, and he was informed, both verbally and in writing, of this decision on his arrival in this country. He was not sent home on leave, but because his services were no longer required. I am afraid it is impossible to re employ Captain Inman, and in view of all the circumstances of the case, I see no reason for any further inquiry.