§ 4. Sir Reginald Clarryasked the Secretary of State for War under what regulation a soldier's identity documents must include the birthplaces of his father and mother and what useful purpose do these serve; whether he is aware that, in the case of a soldier with a parent born in an enemy country and captured by the enemy, this information makes the situation more serious for the soldier; and whether, in view of these possibilities he will favourably consider any application made by a soldier for omitting the names and birthplaces of his parents from his identity book?
§ Sir J. GriggThe requirement that a soldier's parents' nationality at birth should be entered on his documents is of long standing. Its purpose was to ascertain a man's eligibility for service. I am, 1055 however, aware of the risk referred to in the Question and am considering an alteration of the present practice which would remove it.