§ 35. Major Kimballasked the President of the Board of Education why he will not support the application for the release from the Army of No. 10596110, Private R. L. Hallam, R.E.M.E., made by the Loughborough education authority, in view of the fact that this man is now medical category C 2 and that it has been impossible to find a substitute male teacher to fill his former position at the Limehurst senior school.
§ Mr. ButlerThe post to which Mr. Hallam desires to return is not a special one which could not be filled by someone else, and my evidence does not support the contention that the authority have tried unsuccessfully to find a substitute. In any case, Mr. Hallam is under the minimum age at which the Army authorities are normally prepared to entertain recommendations for deferment or release. The Army urgently needs men at the present time who can perform non-combatant service. If,, for medical reasons, the Army can make no further use of Mr. Hallam's services, it is for them to arrange his discharge.
§ Major KimballIn view of the admitted shortage of teachers, could not this man be more usefully employed in his civilian capacity, as a teacher, rather than on non-combatant duties in the Army?
§ Mr. ButlerI have looked into the matter, and a great deal of information has been given to my hon. and gallant Friend. I have refused to make an exception in this case, because of the rules. I have indicated, as well as I can, the manner in which this case stands in regard to those rules.