§ 68. Mr. TICKLERasked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Private Clark, No. 610981, 226th Division Employment Camp, British Army of the Rhine; whether he is aware that this soldier's father is seventy years old and incapable of doing any work for himself and that he mother is a chronic invalid, both parents being in distress on account of this soldier's continued service with the forces; whether he is aware that this man endeavoured to enlist in 1914 and 1915 but was rejected on medical grounds, but that in spite of the circumstances in this man's favour he has been refused demobilisation for the reason that he case is not considered to come within the grounds of extreme compassion; and whether he will give sympathetic consideration to the request for Private Clark's immediate release?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere is no trace of any application having been received by the War Office on behalf of Private Clark. The application referred to by my hon. Friend was apparently made to the man's commanding officer, who is in possession of all instructions regarding demobilisation, and I am confident that this 6oldier's release would not have been refused had his case fallen within any of the categories prescribed in the instructions governing releases on such grounds. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to reconsider the decision. If, however, this soldier is eligible under the conditions of the Memorandum recently published he will be released accordingly.