HC Deb 19 August 1919 vol 119 cc2147-8W
Captain BOWYER

asked the Secretary of' State for War whether he is aware that Sapper George Alfred Taberner, No. 347472, Royal Engineers, Royal Ordnance Department, Egypt, was applied for on 22nd January last by the London and North-Western Railway Company, with whom he was employed up to the outbreak of war; that for some reason this application was not replied to before 1st February, 1919, when all such definite offers of employment ceased to be valid claims for demobilisation; and whether, in view of the fact that both Sapper Taberner's parents have died recently, leaving him to settle up and look after the affairs of his father's estate, he will cause inquiries to be made as to the circumstances of the case and release Sapper Taberner at an early date?

Mr. FORSTER

Sapper Taberner is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, and I am also informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is not so registered by his Department. In the absence of full particulars as to this man's length of service, etc., I am unable to state whether he is at present eligible for demobilisation, but if he is he will be released in accordance with the instructions recently issued.

Sir H. NIELD

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the question of demobilisation in the case of Private C. F. G. Muggleton, No. 48172. l/4th Battalion, Northants Regiment, attached Royal Army Medical Corps, No. 5 Northern General Hospital, Leicester, category Class 3 employment, now awaiting official transfer to the Royal Army Medical Corps; whether he is aware that Private Muggleton attested under the Derby scheme on the 2nd January, 1916, and was called to the Colours for continuous service with the London Rifle-Brigade on the 20th February, 1916; that he left England for trance on the 3Jsi July, 1916, was transferred to the 2/22nd London Regiment in September, 1916, and was wounded in October, 1916; that he proceeded with the 2/22nd London Regiment to Salonika in November, 1916, and thence to Egypt in June, 1917; that he was admitted to hospital with influenza in August, 1918, with dysentery in September, 1918, with dilated heart, disorderly action of the heart (query, valvular disease of the heart), and debility in February, 1919, and was invalided to England in May, 1919, making a total overseas service of thirty-five consecutive months, and admitted to hospital in May, 1919, till July, 1919; that he has had no leave granted since July, 1916; and that, before joining His Majesty's Forces, he was an agricultural student and that he is now awaiting demobilisation to enable him to take up a small holding which is available; and whether, under these circumstances, the early demobilisation of this man will be favourably consideredf?

Mr. FORSTER

If Private Muggleton joined the Colours for immediate service on the date stated by my hon. and learned Friend, he will be demobilised in accordance with the Memorandum recently-published.