§ Mr. P. MEEHANasked the Secretary of State for War why D.A. 17,150, J. H. Metchette has not been released from the Army, in view of the special recommendations made for his release as far back as March last by the Ministry of Munitions; and if he is aware that this man's services are required by his former employers, Messrs. Russell Brothers, timber merchants, Portarlington, Queen's County, to enable them to carry out the work they have in hand for the Government and that it is impossible for Messrs. Russell Brothers to find a man capable of performing Metchette's particular duties?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe application for this man's release was put forward by the Ministry of Munitions on the 5th of April, and not in March, as stated in the question. It was not convenient to release the man at that time, and the Ministry of Munitions was requested to investigate the case fully. On receipt of their recommendation in the latter part of June an application for release was forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief in France for his recommendation, but no reply has yet been received. This will no doubt arrive shortly, but it is not proposed in existing circumstances to ask the Commander-in-Chief to accelerate the reply.