Sir L. HARMSWORTHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the reasons which are preventing the demobilisation of George Mackay, His Majesty's Drifter "Willowbank"?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAHis Majesty's Drifter "Willowbank"has been employed on special service in the directing of traffic at Larne. The vessel has completed this service and is now at Fraser burgh, preparatory to reconditioning. The crew will be dispersed as soon as possible under the existing procedure. I am advised that George Mackay enrolled on the 12th January, 1917.
§ Mr. HARRY HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether Private D. Kennedy, No. 47495, No. 2 Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, who enlisted on 10th December, 1915, and was passed C1, and was subsequently passed B2, may now be demobilised as a one-man business man, a plumber; and whether Corporal William Horseburgh, No. 72974, Royal Engineers (Signals), 32nd Infantry Brigade, Headquarters, British Expeditionary Force, France, who joined in August, 1915, and is urgently required at his work as a joiner, can now be demobilised?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLFrom the information given, Corporal Horseburgh would appear to be eligible for demobilisation, and, if so, will no doubt be demobilised in due course. Instructions concerning Private Kennedy's demobilisation were issued some time ago. Inquiries are being made into the cause of the delay, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as early as possible.
§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether, when the establishment of the Armies of Occupation are complete and it has been found possible to release the men aged thirty-six and thirty-five, the men with two wound stripes, and the men aged thirty-four, he will give the first preference for release to the men who, having volunteered for direct enlistment in 1914 and been medically rejected because the recruiting standards were at that time high, were subsequently called up under the Military Service Acts, when the recruiting standards were low, and passed into the Service, and the second preference 2260W to men with one wound stripe, before any further men are released solely on the score of age?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere are no records of men who were rejected medically unfit in 1914, except possibly in a very small number of cases, and I regret, therefore, it is impossible to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's proposal.
§ Major HURSTasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make inquiries as to whether Private Widdowson,. No. 350569, ⅛rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance, and Private C. A. Wilson, No. 352165, ½nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance, both Territorials serving since August, 1914, are still detained as orderlies, at the First Western General Hospital, Fazakerley, Liverpool; whether their demobilisation has been delayed on the ground of military exigencies; and, if so what are the military exigencies which prevent their release to the civil work awaiting them in Manchester?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf the dates of these men's attestations are as stated they are eligible for demobilisation, but my hon. and gallant Friend will no doubt appreciate that there has not yet been sufficient time to demobilise everybody who is, eligible under current instructions, and also that Royal Army Medical Corps personnel whose services are required are liable to retention until they can be replaced, even though they may be eligible for demobilisation. There does not appear to be any novel point of principle; about these two cases which would necessitate inquiries.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give orders for the immediate release of S. Gaved, No. M2/113010, Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), Mobile Workshop, 615th Company, Victoria Barracks, Athlone, a one-man business man, who enlisted on 11th May, 1915?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLFrom the information given, Private Gaved appears to be eligible for demobilisation and will, no doubt, be demobilised in due course. I regret I cannot entertain my Noble and gallant Friend's suggestion: this man must await the course of events in the same way as other soldiers.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary for War whether he 2261W will give orders for the release of Private William Craven No. 377401, 1144 Company, 23rd Headquarters Reserve, M.T. Company, British Expeditionary Force, a one-man business man, whose shop has been closed for a considerable time, his wife being nearly blind and unable to carry on his business?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLPrivate Craven's demobilisation is dependent on whether or not he is eligible under current instructions. If he is so eligible, he will no doubt be demobilised in due course.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give orders for the release of Gunner R. H. Hogg, No. 161809, 445th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Salonika, a one-man business man and a skilled bootmaker, who has beenacting as an officer's servant throughout his service, whose shop has been closed for two years?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLGunner Hogg's demobilisation is dependent on whether or not he is eligible under current instructions. If he is so eligible, he will no doubt be demobilised in due course.