HC Deb 19 November 1919 vol 121 cc918-9
69. Mr. WATERSON

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now give the result of his promised inquiry into the case of Private Fields, No. 11456, 1st Battalion Beds and Herts Regiment, as promised on 30th October last?

Mr. CHURCHILL

As I have already explained to the hon. Member, I regret that the release of Private Fields cannot be sanctioned. If the hon. Member will call on the Director-General of Mobilisation at the War Office (St. James's Park) the considerations governing discharges in such cases will be fully explained to him.

Mr. WATERSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that this case has been somewhat dilly-dallied for four or five months, and is it the specific object of the War Office to delay it until the lad is eighteen years of age instead of releasing him?