§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether Mr. W. A. Wilcox, of No. 6, Hay Yard, Nine Elms, recently applied to the Central Council Civilian Forage Supply, 47, Victoria Street, for permission to deal in hay, and that it has been refused; whether he is aware that Mr. Wilcox was, prior to the War, a hay merchant by profession; that he joined the Army in December, 1915, giving up the whole of his trade earnings and incurring a heavy financial sacrifice thereby; that his health has been gravely impaired by his military service; that he is now demobilised and, unless permitted to resume his profession, will have no means of earning a living; and why the Government is depriving Mr. Wilcox of his livelihood in this manner?
Captain GUESTI have been asked to answer this question. I am informed that it is not the fact that Mr. Wilcox's application has been refused. There is nothing to prevent him, so far as the Government is concerned, again trading as a hay merchant, provided he complies with the terms of Army Council Orders of the 30th July, 1918. The chairman of the central council is willing and anxious to help him to do so, and has so informed him.