§ 97. Mr. WILLIAM GRAHAMasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mrs. Aitken, 7, St. Leonard's Hill, Edinburgh, widow, in ill-health, recently made application for the release of her son, Private J. B. Aitken, No. 202641, 3rd King's Own Scottish Borderers, who has recently been on 1392 active service in France but is now stationed in Scotland; that two of the brothers of Mr. Aitken have been killed on active service; that his father died partly of shock occasioned by this loss; that this soldier is now the only surviving unmarried son of this widow, who will depend largely on his efforts for the future; whether, in spite of the foregoing facts, the Demobilisation Officer, 3rd King's Own Scottish Borderers, Lochend Camp, Dunfermline, refused the application for this soldier's release on compassionate grounds, at the same time informing him in writing that the officer of the Lowland Reserve Brigade had stated in writing that the soldier should be able to increase his contribution to the upkeep of his home from his Army of Occupation bonus; whether ha approves of this conduct on the part of the officer in question; and whether, in view of the painful facts of this case, he will issue instructions for the immediate demobilisation of this man?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries will be made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as early as possible.