§ Captain D. HALLasked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware that Rifleman Arthur James Hawkins, 1804W No. 1628, was finally discharged from the 2/8th Hampshire Regiment on 30th March, 1916; and that the character given him on discharge stated that he had a fair character, and during his military life has proved himself sober and honest, but appeared to have little control over himself from some mental defect; if he has since that time been for months an inmate of the Isle of Wight Union Infirmary suffering, as the medical officer certifies, with early symptoms of general paralysis and mentally weak; if he was recently re-examined by the medical board sitting at Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, and was put into category A, fit for general service, and accepted as such, and was sent by the recruiting officer to the 3rd Hants Regiment at Gosport; if he is aware that the Newport (Isle of Wight) District Pensions Committee has signed and forwarded to the proper authority Form D 2, being an application for a special temporary allowance for a disabled soldier or sailor; and whether, in the interests of economy, it is proposed to keep this man in the Army?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have called for a report, and will write to my hon. Friend on the various points which he raises as soon as possible.