§ 34. Mr. RENDALLasked the Secretary of State for War if he will say why Private J. W. Gay, No. 92271, 154th Labour Infantry Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, forty-two years of age, is not demobilised; whether he is performing no duties other than taking part in concerts for the entertainment of the troops occasionally; and whether, as his wife is the only person to cultivate the land he occupies, his discharge can be at once given?
Captain GUESTFrom the information given by my hon. Friend, Private Gay would appear to be eligible for demobilisation on account of his age; and, if so, he will no doubt be released in due course.
§ 41. Mr. SITCHasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that application has been made in the proper way by the employers of Private G. H. Hannington, No. 181999, 689th Company, Royal Army Service Corps, Mechanical Transport, attached to the Serbian Army, Balkans, for his demobilisation; that the soldier has not received his papers, and although his employers sent a cablegram on the 16th January the commanding officer would not act upon it; and whether, in view of the fact that the soldier is of low medical category and his health has become greatly impaired through his service in the Army, he will have inquiries made with a view to the man's early demobilisation?
Captain GUESTPrivate Hannington is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, and I am also informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that there is no trace in his Department of this man having been registered on either of these two grounds. It is not clear from the information given by my hon. Friend what was the precise nature of the application made by the employers, but it would not appear to have been such as to warrant his being certified as pivotal or recommended for special release. His demobilisation is dependent on his being eligible under the Regulations at present in force.