§ Mr. J. M. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will grant the release on compassionate grounds of Pioneer S. S. Thompson, No. 325845, A Depot, Royal Engineers (Signals), Bedford, who attested voluntarily in December, 1915, but was placed Class W and returned to civil employment until June, 1916, in view of the fact that his brother and sole partner, who enlisted in September, 1914, was killed in action, that his father who attempted to carry on his business is now incapacitated by ill-health, and that his business is consequently seriously damaged for want of his personal supervision?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere is no trace of any application on compassionate grounds having been received regarding Private Thompson; neither is he registered by the War Office as "pivotal" nor for "special release." If my hon. Friend will furnish a statement giving full particulars of the compassionate grounds on which release is claimed, with particulars of the man's dependants, or obtain a similar statement vouched for by a doctor, justice of the peace, or clergyman, his case will be considered. I would point out, however, that applications on business grounds solely do not warrant their being dealt with as compassionate cases.
§ Mr. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for War why Private G. S. Bray, No. 349409, A Depot, Royal Engineers (Signals), Bedford, for whose release application was made early in January last by his employers, Messrs. James Farrar and Sons, pattern makers, Halifax, has not yet received his discharge; whether, in view of the fact that other employés of the same firm who were applied for in the same form and at the same time have already been discharged, he will inquire whether the delay in the release of Private Bray is due to a mistake; and, if this should prove to be the case, whether he will now grant this man his discharge?
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§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere is no trace of this man having been registered by the War Office either as "pivotal" or for "special release." It would appear, therefore, that the applications made by the employers were either the usual "contract" offers of employment or such, as to obtain Private Bray's registration, as a "slip" man. The fact of being, registered as a. "slip" or "contract" man does not entitle a man to immediate demobilisation. Private Bray's demobilisation is dependent on his being, eligible under current instructions. If he is eligible he will no doubt be released, in due course.
§ Mr. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for War what is the cause of the delay in the release of Private W. Alberts, Royal Army Medical Corps, No. 101015, Military Hospital, Purfleet, who enlisted in August, 1915, and is, therefore, not liable for service under the Order of 29th January, and for whose release several applications have been made, the first being by E. D. 406 on 9th December, 1918 and whether, in view of these facts, he will, now grant this man his discharge?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere is no trace of Private Alberts having been registered by the War Office, either as "Pivotal" of for "Special Release." An application ort behalf of a man on E.D.406 simply causes him to be registered as a "slip man." The fact of his having been so registered does not entitle him to immediate demobililisation. If the date of this man's enlistment is as stated, he will no doubt be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.
§ Mr. WASONasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of a boy who enlisted in April, 1916, aged sixteen years and two months, been twice wounded, and also suffered from shell-shock, which has left, him unfit for further military service, and that he is now working in a field bakery near Boulogne; and, in view of the fact that his presence is urgently required at home, will his release be recommended on compassionate grounds?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAn application should be made to the Secretary, War Office (Mobilisation), giving full particulars of the case, showing the nature of the compassionate grounds on which the release is requested, and it will receive consideration. The application should be 2107W vouched for by my hon. Friend or by a justice of the peace, doctor, or clergyman. The statement should include particulars of any persons who are dependent on the soldier in question.
§ Mr. WASONasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of a soldier who joined up when war was declared, and is now with the Army of Occupation near Cologne, and that after the Armistice the Board of Agriculture had him put on as a pivotal man; that on the 15th January he wrote that his papers from the War Office for demobilisation had come, and that he might be home any day; and, in view of the fact that his father is near seventy years of age, and his services on the farm are urgently required, he will make every inquiry with the view of his release?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLMy hon. Friend has sent me further particulars of this case, and enquiries are being made. I will let him know the result in due course.
§ Mr. WASONasked the Secretary of State for War if he has received urgent representations for the release on compassionate grounds of Gunner J. D. Rendall, A battery, 290th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, France; and if he will take into consideration the fact that Gunner Rendall's widowed mother is left without any help on a farm of 70 acres with stock consisting of twenty-two cattle, three horses, one pony, and two sheep, and that unless her son is released she will have to abandon the farm and will have great difficulty in providing for herself and four young girls dependent on her?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am informed that orders have been issued for the demobilisation of Gunner Rendall on compassionate grounds.
§ Major HILLSasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of Private M. Downes, No. 52220, Royal Army Medical Corps; whether he is aware that Private Downes joined the Army on 1st January, 1915, and has been in France since June, 1915; that this soldier was before the War employed by the Lambton and Hetton Collieries, Limited, Houghton-le-Spring, county Durham; that his employers forwarded him a declaration certified by the Labour Exchange, of their willingness to re-employ him; that on 18th January last Private Downes handed these papers to 2108W his commanding officer at the 56th General Hospital, France, but has heard no more about it; and if he will cause inquiry to be made with a view to Private Downes' release?
§ Mr. WARDLEThis man appears to be eligible for demobilisation under Army Order No. 55, dated 29th January, and, if so, he will, no doubt, be released in due course. It is pointed out, however, that the Royal Army Medical Corps is one of the corps included in the military machinery of demobilisation, and that men serving in these corps can, as a rule, only be released as they can be individually spared or replaced.
§ Major HILLSasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of Gunner George Macknight, No. 219701, 74th Howitzer Battery, 16th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, Rawal Pindi, India; whether he is aware that Macknight joined the Territorial Force in March, 1914, when just under eighteen years of age, and in November, 1914, was discharged as medically unfit, but was called up again in January, 1917, and sent to India in September, 1917; and whether, seeing that his mother is a widow and he is an only child, and she is dependent solely on him for her support, he can be demobilised on compassionate grounds?
§ Mr. WARDLEThis man appears to be eligible for demobilisation under Army Order No. 55, dated 29th January, and the War Office have been asked to consider the question of expediting his release on compassionate grounds.