§ 17. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for War why copies of the document, giving particulars of conditions of release by purchase, have not been made available to units in M.E.L.F.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe War Office memorandum on discharge by purchase was sent to M.E.L.F. at the same time as to other Commands. Owing, however, to the wide area covered by this Command there would necessarily be some delay before the instructions reached all units.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that by now the instructions should have reached all units, and, if I send him the name of a unit which has not yet received the instructions, will he take steps to see that they get there?
§ Mr. ShinwellI should be glad to have the information. My information is that by now the instructions should have reached all units.
§ 18. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for War why he has refused to make available to hon. Members copies of the leaflet setting out conditions of release from the Army by purchase.
§ Mr. ShinwellPending the issue of complete instructions, copies of the War Office memorandum giving administrative details about discharge by purchase were placed in the Library of this House. When complete instructions, which are now in preparation, are promulgated, copies will be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the document, a copy of which is now in the Library, cannot also be made available to hon. Members who desire it for the purpose of advising their constituents?
§ Mr. ShinwellBy all means. A number of hon. Members have already asked for, and been provided with, copies. If the hon. Member wishes to have a copy, I will let him have one.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that last week his office twice refused to let me have copies of this document and, in view of what he has said, will he be good enough to reverse this instruction?
§ Mr. ShinwellNow that the hon. Member has asked me for a copy, I will see that he gets one.
§ 24. Lieutenant-Colonel Liptonasked the Secretary of State for War when regulations will be issued to enable men on supplementary service engagements to obtain discharge by purchase.
§ Mr. ShinwellI hope that an announcement will be made on this matter shortly.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan my right hon. Friend say why it is necessary, even in the first instance, to differentiate between men on Regular service engagements and men on supplementary service engagement, many of whom have long periods of service on Regular engagements?
§ Mr. ShinwellThe reason for the differentiation is that there happens to be a difference.