HC Deb 12 March 1919 vol 113 cc1254-5
43. Mr. W. GRAHAM

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many Members of this House have communicated with officers commanding units at home and abroad on questions of demobilisation and other matters; that such letters are in many cases ignored; and whether he will issue instructions to commanding officers to deal as promptly as possible with such communications?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon on the 6th instant, in which I stated that inquiries addressed to the Secretary, War Office (Mobilisation), would be promptly attended to. The special facilities for assisting Members to obtain information at the House about matters of detail connected with demobilisation, etc., are in operation and will continue to be available on Mondays and Thursdays after Question Time. It is not desirable that queries in connection with demobilisation should be addressed by Members of the House direct to officers commanding units, who are frequently not in a position to give answers on all points.

Mr. HAROLD SMITH

Would it not be possible for the War Office to indicate to the House to what Department hon. Members must address themselves in respect of the many individual communications they receive on the subject?

Mr. CHURCHILL

That is what we are trying to do. My hon. Friend the Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow (Mr. MacCallum Scott) is at the disposal of my hon. Friend on two days of the week. If the pressure still continues we shall have to extend the arrangement.

Colonel THORNE

Hear, hear!

Mr. CHURCHILL

Perhaps I may take advantage of this occasion to warn hon. Members that there will be no limit to their correspondence if they make themselves responsible for individual cases, irrespective of whether or not there is reasonable ground for Parliamentary interference.

Sir A. YEO

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of having someone at the War Office to answer the letters of parents, which are totally ignored?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I hope that is not so.

Sir A. YEO

It is!

Mr. CHURCHILL

I hope not. I am very much impressed by the way in which the service is carried on, and the way in which hon. Members' communications are dealt with. Considering that there must be three or four million persons whose affairs are passing through the War Office, it is, to my mind, wonderful that there should be such very rapid dealing with the matter.