41. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir J. HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet been able to provide any system under which consideration can be given to the applications for release on compassionate grounds, and on account of special hardship, by soldiers who are under 37 years old and who have been called up for service since January, 1916?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLClaims to release on compassionate grounds have always been considered. A great number of men were released on these grounds before Army Order 55 of 1919 was issued; and it is also provided in this Army Order that officers whose release on extreme compassionate grounds is approved by the Army Council and all warrant officers and N.C.O.'s and men whose release on extreme compassion- 197 ate grounds has been or may be ordered by the War Office or whose release on extreme compassionate grounds is approved by General Officers Commanding-in-Chief in accordance with instructions issued to them are to be demobilised as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit. This applies irrespective of age or service.
Sir J. HOPETo whom should applications for release on compassionate grounds be made, and who has the power of deciding whether those grounds of release are substantial enough to warrant the man's release?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe General Officers Commanding-in-Chief have the discretionary power, and applications would reach them, I should presume, if they were sent through the regular channel from battalion to brigade, from division to corps and from corps to Army in the usual way.
Sir J. HOPETo whom are Members of Parliament to refer people. To the War Office or the General Officer in charge?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA Member of Parliament or a civilian in this country would, naturally, apply to the War Office. A serving soldier who wished for release would, naturally, go to see his commanding officer, who would make himself responsible for the further advancement of the case.
§ Mr. WATERSONWhat is the line of demarcation for deciding the question of compassionate grounds, seeing that in one particular case if the man could be released his wife's life could be saved?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat obviously must be a matter which you can only leave to the human beings who have the responsibility of deciding in these matters and who know how very limited the exercise of this prerogative must be.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that 1,400 cases are supposed to be worse than the one I have mentioned; and, if so, what is the chance of this one?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI cannot tell at all, but we must not let what are called compassionate cases become an abuse which would upset the whole working of our machinery.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLIn view of the great number of applications which Members of this House are receiving in connection with 198 compassionate cases is the right hon. Gentleman making arrangements so that all these matters shall be dealt with promptly?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere is this machinery which is in existence. Of course, in a certain sense almost every case is a compassionate case. There are very terrible cases and these it is hoped the machinery will meet. If the hon. Member can show mea melancholy case which has not been dealt with I will look into it myself, and give a ruling which may afford a guide to others in deciding similar cases.
Colonel THORNEIs it a breach of any Regulation for a Member of the House to write direct to the commanding officer of a particular battalion or unit?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI know of nothing which prevents a Member of the House writing a letter to anyone in the world.