§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers, on their own initiative or at the instigation of their relatives, are seeking their discharge owing to the fact that they and their dependants would be in a better financial position were they in receipt of unemployment pay and the guardians' relief; and, if this be so, what steps he proposes to take to ensure 2384W that the strength of the Army is not seriously interfered with by these means, and that steps will be taken to ensure that discharges are not granted save under exceptional circumstances?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am not aware that soldiers are seeking their discharge for the reasons stated. One of the conditions under which a soldier is granted a free discharge from the Army in order to support his parents or relatives is that he has suitable employment to go to. The actual numbers of soldiers taking their discharge for the purpose of supporting their relatives are small, and have decreased lately from what they were a year ago.