§ 10. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the request for the release of Private A. A. Probert from the Army, sent him on 10th June, by the hon. Member for Swindon; and if he is aware that this soldier is due to be sent to Germany shortly.
§ Mr. H. FraserThe answer to both parts of the Question is "Yes, Sir," An account of the circumstances of this case was sent to the hon. Member yesterday.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerSince the Secretary of State is also here, may I draw his attention to the fact that this case was taken up with his Department on 20th June, and that it was not until I put down a Parliamentary Question that I got any answer yesterday? If there were special features accounting for this long delay, will the Parliamentary Secretary tell us what they were or, if there were not, will he ensure that this does not happen again?
§ Mr. FraserWe have looked into this case with great care. Two points are involved; first, the question of hardship and, secondly, the question of the release of the man concerned as a skilled worker. On both grounds we found that a sufficient case was not made out. For any delays which took place I take full responsibility, and I apologise.