§ 25. Mr. John Morganasked the Secretary of State for War how it came about that battery orderly-runner W. Lucia, an ex-warrant officer attached to the Militia training depot, Devizes, was deposited by the military authorities at Devizes Station on 20th September with a broken ankle and no railway warrant and told to make his own way home to Doncaster, where he was detained at the local hospital; and why this soldier receives neither replies to his communications to his superior officer nor allowances?
§ Sir V. WarrenderI am informed that Mr. Lucia is a civilian employè, who accidentally injured his ankle by tripping over a small trench. He was seen by the medical officer who wished to detain him in the camp hospital. Mr. Lucia asked, however, for sick leave, and this was granted. It was explained to him that he had no entitlement to travel at public expense, and that any journey he wished to make must be undertaken on his own responsibility. He was advised that, if he was in need of help he should apply to the local Employment Exchange. A letter from him dated 24th September was answered on 26th September.
§ Mr. MorganWas not Mr. Lucia recruited in Doncaster and transferred by the Army authorities to Salisbury; and why was he granted sick leave, and then told that he could apply to the Employment Exchange for relief? What kind of procedure is that?
§ Sir V. WarrenderMr. Lucia was not in any sense employed in a military capacity. He was employed in a purely civilian capacity, and was not entitled to free railway transport.
§ Mr. MorganWas he not recruited at Doncaster by the military authorities, for military work, at a military camp, and is he not an ex-warrant officer?
§ Sir V. WarrenderI have given the hon. Gentleman the facts of the case, and I have nothing to add.