§ Sir MARTIN CONWAYasked the Secretary of State for War whether Sapper L. J. Clark, No. 166173, Royal Engineers, Wireless Signal Company, F Company, O Depot, Bedford, who was a scholarship student in the faculty of engineering in the University of Liverpool, who joined the Colours in1916 under the Derby scheme, and served in East Africa, whose application for demobilisation, supported by the Labour Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour, 20th December, 1918, arrived too late owing to his absence overseas, and who desires to complete his studies at the university, can now be demobilised?
Captain GUESTSapper Clark was not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release prior to the 1st February, 1919, and unless he is otherwise eligible for demobilisation under current instructions, I regret he cannot be released.
§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that several applications have been made to the War Office for the release on compassionate grounds of Corporal F. H. Collard, No. 1179, 35th Company, Royal Army 217W Medical Corps, Special Military Surgical Hospital, Shepherd's Bush, W., and that no reply has yet been received; that unless this non-commissioned officer is shortly released he will lose a situation which will materialy benefit his motherless children; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to this non-commissioned officer's immediate release?
Captain GUESTInquiries are already being made in this case, and I will inform my hon. and learned Friend of the result as early as possible.
§ Mr. HARRY HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Captain L. A. Maclachlan, Royal Army Service Corps, who joined up on the declaration of war in 1914 and received his commission in January, 1915; whether this officer has been ordered to proceed on duty to South Russia when he is anxious to be demobilised in order to resume his work as an engineer; and whether, in view of the long and patriotic service rendered by this officer, he will now cancel the order for his embarkation to Russia and authorise his early demobilisation?
Captain GUESTI am informed that this officer volunteered while in France for service in the Armies of Occupation and in South Russia, and was accordingly ordered home with a view to embarkation for South Russia. On arriving to report, he stated that he wished to be demobilised. He has since reported sick, and his orders for South Russia are being cancelled. As, however, he volunteered for the Army of Occupation, he is not eligible for demobilisation.
§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that more than one application has been made to the War Office for the release on compassionate grounds of Private W. Rogers, No. 27376, C Sub-division, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 24th Veterinary Hospital, France, and that no reply has yet been received; and whether he will have inquiries made into the case with a view to the man's early release?
Captain GUESTInquiries are already being made in this case, and I will inform my hon. and learned Friend of the result as early as possible.