HC Deb 26 June 1919 vol 117 cc356-7W
Mr. ATKEY

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the possibility of extending the compassionate grounds for release from the Army in order to include such a case as that of A/Sergeant W. T. Watson, No. 28,668, 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, whose mother, aged sixty-four, is a widow in necessitous circumstances, a chronic invalid, and entirely dependent on this son; whether the only condition of the present regulations for compassionate release which she does not fulfil is that she has not two or more children dependent upon her; and in view of her age and the fact that she is a chronic invalid, whether this disability will be overlooked?

Captain GUEST

I regret that the grounds put forward by my hon. Friend do not warrant a man's demobilisation on compassionate grounds, but as I have already stated, it is hoped shortly, if conditions permit, to reconsider the regulations governing releases on compassionate grounds.

Major W. MURRAY

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that in many cases the soldier's wife who is in necessitous circumstances and wholly dependent on the soldier is fully engaged in the care of her house, young children, and aged relatives, and as unable to earn money for herself as if she were a chronic invalid, he will instruct the excision of the words "chronic invalid" from paragraph 1, sub-paragraph (iii.) of Army Council Instruction 287, of 1919, which regulates demobilisation on compassionate grounds?

Captain GUEST

I regret that at present I cannot accept my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, but it is hoped when Peace is signed that it will fee possible to reconsider the regulations governing individual releases on compassionate grounds.