§ Mr. GLANVILLEasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that applications for the release of soldiers on compassionate grounds are advised in Section 11, paragraph 2, of D.F. 5, issued by the Ministry of Labour, to apply to the War Office, he will explain why the War Office refuses to deal with the application of Mrs. Pfeiffer, Leather Exchange Tavern, 15, Market Street, Bermondsey. S.E., for the release of her son, Private A. F. Pfeiffer, No. 35640, B company detachment, 31st battalion Middlesex Regiment, Sevenoaks (battalion headquarters, Croydon), on compassionate grounds; and why the War Office, instead of dealing with such case, refers the applicant to the commanding officer of the soldier's unit?
Captain GUESTGeneral Officers Commanding-in-Chief are empowered to grant release in compassionate cases, and for men serving at home such applications should, in the first place, invariably be made to the man's commanding officer, who is able to investigate the case and can then forward the application to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief for sanction. The applicant was correctly informed.