§ Major Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a substantial number of members of the Territorial Army were performing fulltime service with the anti-aircraft defences during the coverture period; and whether he will reconsider the ruling that such service performed prior to 3rd September, 1939, shall not count as service for purpose of release.
§ Mr. LawsonI am aware that full-time service given before 3rd September, 1939, does not count for the purpose of release. 51W Such service was not confined to the personnel mentioned, however, and they could not be treated specially. A general exception to the approved age and service rules would be involved. In view of the comparatively short periods served in many cases and the fact that a large proportion of the men concerned have already been released by virtue of their long service I regret I can see no adequate grounds for the change proposed.
§ Mr. Molsonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 14667666 Corporal O. Chilton, has been engaged in his professional capacity as a certified masseur for only seven months during his 23 months of military service; in what capacity it is intended to employ him overseas; and whether he will now demobilise him in Class B in order to return to the Devonshire Royal Hospital, Buxton.
§ Mr. LawsonCorporal Chilton was in a unit which took part in the invasion of the Continent and there was necessarily a long period, during the preparation for the assault and the subsequent unpredictable conditions on the Continent, when the unit was not required to open up for the reception of casualties. In the circumstances, and having regard to the four months he spent on normal recruit training, I agree that his employment on actual masseur duties has been comparatively short. He is now under orders to proceed overseas for employment as a masseur. I have not so far received any request for his release in Class B, but I understand that the Ministry of Health, which is the sponsoring Department for application in respect of the person employed in the occupation in question, has this case under active consideration.
§ Mr. Molsonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 1109681 Lance-Bombardier W. H. Finney, was employed for 15 years, before joining the Forces, in a responsible position in hospital administration; that during nearly the whole of his five years' service in the Army he has been employed as steward in an officers' mess; and whether he will now demobilise him in Class B in order to return to the Devonshire Royal Hospital, Buxton.
§ Mr. LawsonThis soldier is employed as a non-commissioned officer in charge of an officers' mess. He is not in a high medical category and his civil occupation52W is recorded as Assistant Secretary (Voluntary Hospital). I have not so far received any request for his release in Class B, but I understand that the Ministry of Health, which is the sponsoring Department for application in respect of the person employed in the occupation in question, has this case under active consideration.
§ Mr. Medlandasked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to demobilise men who have been prisoners of war and from Category A I have been degraded as low as Category B 7 through wounds received in action; whether his attention has been drawn to the large numbers of men in camp at Llanerch Panna, Ellesmere, Shropshire; and whether he will arrange for their speedy demobilisation.
§ Mr. LawsonThe release of ex-prisoners of war who are still medically fit for Army service is dependent on their age and service group. Soldiers in medical category B 7 are not unfit for Army service, although some change in their Army employment may be necessary. The camp referred to is an Army Selection Training Centre where personnel are trained for unit and administrative duties prior to re-posting. The unit in question is now disbanding, however, and only a small number of soldiers still remain there.