§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware 319W that Private A. Tilley, No. 114667, 2nd Machine Gun Corps, 47th Reserve Company, Grantham, served as a stoker on H.M.S. "Birmingham" in the early days of the War, and was discharged with a broken ear-drum due to gunfire and given a disablement pension; that he was recalled and is now in Category B3; and that he has applied in vain to be transferred to Class W or Class P, Army Reserve, in order to resume his former work of national importance in Portsmouth Dockyard; and whether, in view of this man's former record and service, he will consider whether the transfer in question might be arranged?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am making inquiry, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.
§ Mr. THOMAS RICHARDSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Private A. Tovey, No. 86947, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, has been refused release to return to coal mining in consequence of having recently been placed in medical category A; and whether Private Tovey had been upon two occasions refused enlistment upon medical grounds and upon his ultimate acceptance was placed in medical category B2?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am making inquiry into the case, and I will write to my right hon. Friend as soon as possible.
§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Minister of National Service why John Gerrard, of Crag Bank, Carnforth, Lancashire, was arrested by the police on October 3rd last as a deserter and taken before the magistrates and fined £5, and was handed over to a military escort, seeing that in September, 1916, this man was totally rejected as unfit for any kind of military service, and in the meantime had not been called to the Colours; and will he order his immediate release?
§ Sir A. GEDDESInquiries are being made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.