§ 2. Mr. Gowerasked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to ensure that a compassionate posting or compassionate leave is granted to 22768090 Craftsman W. B. Cosslett, Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, 3, Spring Gardens, Cadoxton, Barry, Glamorgan, now serving in the Middle East, who prior to his call-up for National Service was abroad for long periods during service in the Mercantile Marine, for reasons stated in correspondence from the hon. Member for Barry; and, in particular, because of the ill-health of the wife, mother and mother-in-law of Craftsman Cosslett, and the strain upon his wife, following the birth of a child.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)No, Sir. I have had inquiries made and I am glad to say that the health of this soldier's wife, mother and mother-in-law is now satisfactory.
§ Mr. GowerWill my right hon. Friend reconsider this? Is he aware that in normal circumstances the man would not have been called up at all because he was a member of the Mercantile Marine and it was only anxiety about the health of so many relatives which detained him on shore? It was under those circumstances that he was called up. He has now been abroad continuously for very many years. Cannot a more humane attitude be adopted towards this case in view of all the circumstances?
§ Mr. HeadThe man was available for call-up and was called up and sent to the Army. The grounds on which he has asked for compassionate release are not 926 really those which justify it, since the health of the relatives concerned is, I understand, satisfactory.
§ 6. Mrs. Braddockasked the Secretary of State for War if he is yet in a position to make a statement about the case of 22288898 M. Brennan, I/R Norfolks, B.A.P.O.I., Hong Kong.
§ Mrs. BraddockI thank the Minister for the letter I received this morning, but will he bear in mind that this man's service was excellent in his first period, and it was only when he found himself back during the second period of service that he intimated to his commanding officer about his previous period and why he had been discharged? If notice had been taken of that immediately, is it not a fact that he would not have got into these difficulties, and does not some responsibility fall upon those in the Services for this man's conduct within the last few months?
§ Mr. HeadI can assure the hon. Lady that I looked into this case very carefully, and, before this man intimated about his previous service, he had got a very poor conduct sheet and was causing a great deal of trouble. The man is now going to leave the Army, and I think on the whole, although I regret it, that after what has happened that will be the best course.
§ 7. Mrs. Braddockasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that 22781161 Drummer Boy N. S. H. Gallagher, 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, age 17, now at Barnard Castle, Durham, in detention, is refused a mattress to sleep on; and whether he will institute a full inquiry at once and make a statement.
§ Mrs. BraddockWill the Minister tell us what steps he has taken to see that the Army Regulations are carried out and that permission is given to sleep on a mattress? Is it not very bad that this attitude has been adopted?
§ Mr. HeadI shall not have any information as to what happened until the inquiry has taken place, but as soon as it has finished I shall write to the hon. Lady.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe right hon. Gentleman has referred to several inquiries which are in contemplation. What is the reason for them all? Is there something wrong at the War Office, and if so, is the right hon. Gentleman giving it his attention?
§ Mr. HeadThe right hon. Gentleman seems to have forgotten that the Army totals 440,000 men and that occasionally some of them get into trouble.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when we were sitting on the Government side of the House—[An HON. MEMBER: "There was no Army worth talking about."] Ask the right hon. Gentleman and the Prime Minister. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when we were sitting on the Government side of the House there was hardly a complaint of this kind and that we did not need to hold inquiries because we had a firm grip on the administration.
§ Mr. HeadI do not want to squabble about the period when the British Army was best. It is a very fine Army, whoever is looking after it, but, as the right hon. Gentleman should be able to recall, when right hon. Gentlemen opposite were in charge there was lots of trouble. The right hon. Gentleman's predecessor had terrible troubles, as had the right hon. Gentlemen himself, and I remember a troopship going to Korea about which he misled the House.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan I ask whether it is possible, Mr. Speaker, to have a court of inquiry to decide when I misled the House, as is suggested by the Minister?