§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that Private J. R. Everitt, No. 260091, 1/6th West Yorkshire Regiment, of 24, Pennington Street, Dawson Lane, Hull, having been severely wounded, was recommended for discharge by the hospital medical board, Beckitts Park Hospital, Leeds, on 24th May, 1918; that he was subsequently informed that his discharge papers were made out, and advised to send home for civilian clothes; that he was afterwards classified B2, Command Depot; and whether, in view of the circumstances and the fact that the man is very lame, he will have the case inquired into with a view to the man being discharged; and (2) whether he is aware that J. Swan, No. 36792, an apprentice plater, a wounded soldier, late of the East Yorkshire Regiment and now in class P, has 521W been returned to his unit; and whether he can offer any explanation as to why this man has been returned?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy attention had not previously been drawn to these cases, but I am having inquiries made, and will acquaint my hon. and gallant Friend of the result.
§ Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the case of a soldier, whose name and number have been privately sent to him, whose two brothers have been killed in the War, whose services in the Army since September, 1914, have led to his being twice wounded, his lung affected, his nerves shaken, his face distorted, his eyes constantly twitching, having had fits in the trenches, etc., and now again ordered for service abroad; whether he is aware that the family sufferings have driven this soldier's father into the asylum and his mother out of her mind, and that they leave four dependent young children at home unprovided for; and whether this soldier will now be discharged, provided he can make and keep a home for his parents and their young children?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am inquiring into this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend later.
§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will explain the reasons for the treatment of Private John Burke, who is now in No. 1 Special King George's Hospital, Dublin, having been sent there from Oswestry in a state of collapse, having been kept in Lord Derby War Hospital for nearly twelve months and forcibly fed; and why this man has never been court-martialled for his refusal to obey military orders on the ground of conscientious objection?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI should be glad if my hon. Friend will furnish me with the name of Burke's unit and his regimental number to enable me to make inquiry in this case.
§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have inquiries made into the case of Sapper G. Townsend, No. 312651, 4th Company, Royal Engineers, now stationed at the Main Barracks, Newark-on-Trent; and, in particular, if he will ascertain whether this soldier, whose age last birthday was fifty-six and who has served at the front 522W in France and elsewhere for more than three years, is now entitled to his discharge?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am making inquiries into this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.