§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can expedite the demobilisation, on compassionate grounds, of Private A. Maybourne, No. 227977, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, Auxiliary Petrol Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, whose mother, a widow entirely dependent on him for support, is certified by her doctor to be confined to bed with illness with no prospect of being able to move for a considerable time, and who has living with her a very delicate daughter with an infant in arms?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLFrom the particulars given by my hon. Friend, Private May-bourne's case does not fall within any of the categories prescribed in the instructions governing releases on compassionate grounds, and I regret that I cannot authorise his release under those Regulations. The soldier could, however, make application to his commanding officer for special leave, which I think would meet the case.
§ Mr. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War what prospect there is of the early demobilisation of Private D. Ravine, No. 322017, Special Factory Section, Royal Engineers, A.P.O. S 73, British Expeditionary Force, France; and, in view of the fact that this soldier on joining the Colours had to close down a prosperous business in a working-class district, the reopening of which would be to the public advantage, and also in view of the fact that he is thirty-six years of age and that his brother, an electrical engineer, has been totally disabled by 402W shell-shock, whether steps can be taken to expedite Ravine's discharge from the Army?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf Private Ravine's case comes within the new instructions recently issued, making provision for the release of certain one-man business owners on compassionate grounds, and my hon. Friend will obtain a statement giving full facts and particulars certified as set out in the said instructions, the case will be considered.
§ Mr. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can expedite the discharge from, the Army of Gunner S. W. Read, No. 169497, Royal Field Artillery, Victoria Barracks, Athlone, whose services are urgently needed by his father, who has an extensive dairy business, ministering to the needs of a considerable population in Whitstable, which he, the father, has been carrying on with difficulty during his son's absence with the Colours, but which he has not the strength to continue longer without the assistance of his son?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLGunner Read is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, and in the absence of particulars of this soldier's age, length of service, etc., I am unable to state whether he is eligible for demobilisation. If he is eligible, he will be released in accordance with the instructions recently issued making provision for the early release of men eligible for demobilisation.
§ Mr. HARRY HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Gunner L. Grant, No. 227665, Royal Field Artillery, and to the fact that the Ministry of Labour recommended him for special release on 15th January last; and whether, under recent Regulations, he is now entitled to demobilisation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLGunner Grant is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. I am also informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is not so registered by his Department. The recommendation referred to by my hon. Friend was apparently a contract offer of employment, which alone does not render him eligible for demobilisation. With regard to the last part of the question, unless Gunner Grant is eligible for demobilisation under 403W current Regulations, his release is not provided for in the Instructions referred to by my hon. Friend.
§ Major GODFREY PALMERasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that an error was made in the local Labour Exchange in dealing with the case of Driver J. E. Glaholm. No. 248901, B Battery, 50th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, Solingen, Germany, he will consider the application for his demobilisation on compassionate grounds?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf Driver Glaholm's case comes within the instructions recently issued making provision for the release of certain one-man business owners on compassionate grounds, and my hon. and gallant Friend will obtain a statement giving full facts and particulars certified as set out in the said instructions, the case will be considered.
§ Mr. McNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if H.C. IJ. Rook, No. 410106, F Section, Chingford Aerodrome, who enlisted in January, 1915, in the Royal Army Medical Corps and since his return from overseas has been transferred to the Medical Section, Royal Air Force, has been notified as eligible for demobilisation but, owing to his employment as a hospital orderly, has not yet been released; and whether, in view of the fact that Rook's wife is in a precarious state of health, he will give instructions that Rook's discharge be expedited?
§ Major-General SEELYInquiries are being made, and I will acquaint my hon. Friend with the result with the least possible delay.