68. Mr. A. DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for War whether Sapper F. Charrett, No. 191476, L Signal Battalion, A.P.O. 2, Rouen, attested under the Derby scheme in 1915, but was not released by the Post Office until July, 1916; whether he has served abroad continuously since December, 1916, in Egypt, Palestine, Belgium, and France; whether, in February and March last, he was put on the cadre of his division as a releasable man and was kept for the time being until the cadre went home; whether, in May, it was decided to reduce all cadres by 75 per cent. in order that this percentage could be released immediately; whether Sapper Charrett was included in that number and was sent to the 5th Army Signals at Lille for demobilisation; whether, on the 28th June, Sapper Charrett was ordered to proceed to Rouen signals; whether, on reporting at Rouen, the men were informed that age does not count in the case of Post Office telegraphists, and that they were to be retained; whether he is aware that Sapper Charrett submitted an application for release on compassionate grounds as he is the only son in a position to maintain his aged parents, and his mother, who is over sixty-seven years of age, is in a critical condition; whether, at an early date, his officer informed him that it was unnecessary to appeal on compassionate grounds as he would be demobilised shortly; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to the grounds on which these men were informed that the regulations as to demobilisation did not apply in their case?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries will be made in this case, and my hon. Friend informed of the result as early as possible.
§ 77. Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Private Alan Fisher, No.10522, A Company, 1st Royal Scots, at present stationed at Red-ford Barracks, Edinburgh, whose home address is at 54, West Richmond Street, Edinburgh; whether he is aware that this soldier, who has been on active service for some years, applied for release on compassionate grounds; that his mother, a widow, is dying of cancer; that a brother who would have been of great assistance to the home at present was killed during the last days of the War; that the only other brother at home is deaf and dumb and notable to maintain himself; and that while in Russia Private Fisher, in desperation and as the only means of getting home to see his mother, who was then believed to be on her death bed, signed a form agreeing to serve for a further period with the Army; whether he is now on the point of being sent to India, in spite of urgent representations to the military authorities on his behalf; and whether, in view of the foregoing facts, he is prepared to cancel the order that this lad should proceed to India and also the fresh enlistment form he has signed, and grant him immediate demobilisation on extreme compassionate grounds?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAttention has already been drawn to this case, and instructions are about to be issued for Private Alan Fisher to be retained on home service for the present. As Private Fisher voluntarily re-enlisted for service in the Regular Army, I regret that his release cannot be sanctioned.