HC Deb 01 August 1918 vol 109 cc638-9W
Mr. JOWETT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, concerning Private No. 142089, son of two blind parents, aged sixty-seven and seventy-three respectively, whether, having regard to the fact that the only other member of the family is Private Muff's sister, a married woman residing in London, who is obliged to go out to work and cannot either offer a home to or contribute to the support of her parents, and that prior to his joining the Army Private Muff managed the affairs of his blind parents and, since he joined, Private Muff's father has had a paralytic seizure and is now unable to walk across the floor of his cottage without assistance, and, having regard to the further fact that in civil life Private Muff was employed as a warehouseman by a firm engaged on Government contracts, he will consider all the circumstances of this case with a view to Private Muff's discharge from the Army, or, alternatively, his transfer to the Army Reserve for so long as his blind and aged parents require his care and support?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Inquiries are being made, and this case will receive careful and sympathetic consideration.

Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the case of Private Bernard Heron, No. 27040, C Company, Seaforth Highlanders, who is not yet eighteen years of age, a miner by trade, and one of a family of eight children; and whether this youth can be sent home to work at his trade till he has reached military age?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I am making inquiry into this case, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result in due course.