§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Emily Hawker, mother of Rifleman E. Hawker, of A Company, 3rd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, appealed on 15th January to the commanding officer for leave for her son, who was under orders to sail for India on 20th January, to visit his father, who was lying dying in the Taunton and Somerset Hospital, and who had expressed a wish to say good-bye to his son before he left the country; whether the application was refused, despite the fact that the house surgeon of the hospital wired to the officer commanding the Rifle Brigade to the effect that Hawker was very much weaker; whether he is aware that the dying man had himself served in the Somersetshire Light Infantry, had seen service in the Zulu War of 1878 and again in the Royal Reserve during the Boer War, and that he had three sons who had served in the Navy; whether he is also aware that Hawker senior died on the day on which his son left to embark at Southampton for India; and what action he proposes taking 1416W to prevent a recurrence of such action in the Army?
§ Colonel SEELYThere is no information at the War Office concerning this case, but inquiries will be made and the hon. Gentleman will be informed of the result in due course.