§ Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Defence the total number of compassionate releases from all three Services during the year 1946.
§ Mr. AlexanderNearly 19,000 officers and men and members of the women's and nursing Services were granted compassionate releases for indefinite periods in 1946. Many thousands more were released for stated periods, but a large proportion of these were subsequently extended indefinitely and are included in the 19,000. The number not so extended cannot readily be separated.