§ Sir PHILIP PILDITCHasked the Secretary of State for War whether certain young clergymen who joined the forces as soldiers in July, 1918, and whose services are urgently needed in the parishes from where they were taken, are now retained on general duty in the Army of the Rhine, although they were applied for six months ago on pivotal grounds; and whether it is possible to grant their immediate demobilisation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am not aware that clergymen have been registered as "pivotal" men on account of their profession, but a certain number were released as special releases on Army Form Z.56 as provided in Army Order 55. The majority of these have already been demobilised, and the remainder are being 225W dealt with in accordance with current instructions. I regret that I can give no undertaking to release others unless they are eligible for demobilisation.