Captain BROWNasked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry if he will cause the release of Private James Campbell Fairlane, No. 161871, Royal Air 626W Force, to be expedited, in view of the fact that he has been applied for as a pivotal man in connection with food control at Hexham, Northumberland, by both the local and county food controllers?
§ Major-General SEELYNo application was received from the Ministry of Labour for the demobilisation of No. 161871, Private J. C. Fairlane, as a, pivotal man, but, as a result of representations on his behalf, instructions were issued recently that the man should be registered as a slip man in his unit. I am unable to state the exact date on which his demobilisation will take place, but it is being expedited.
§ Mr. HIGHAMasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private William James Oram, No. M/2 192951, 706th Company, Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), after nearly three years' service overseas, without leave, was sent to Russia against his will; that he is at present being used by the American Mission in Tiflis; and whether, in view of the fact that his services are no longer required by the British Army, his demobilisation can be expedited?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf Private Oram is eligible for demobilisation he will be released in accordance with the instructions recently issued making provision for the early release of all men eligible for demobilisation.
§ Brigadier-General COLVINasked the Secretary of State for War whether Private C. B. Phillips, No. 89603, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 8th Devons, Reserve Regiment, Secunderabad, who enlisted in 1914 and served in Mesopotamia all through the War, and received his slip at Amara, but who, on reaching Basrah, was diverted to India, will be sent home on the earliest opportunity; and whether an assurance will be given that his service will not be extended now that he is in India?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have already stated that when demobilisation recommences in India, those who were sent home from Mesopotamia for demobilisation,vid India, and were temporarily retained in the latter country, will be amongst the first to be released?
§ Mr. LYONasked the Secretary of Stats for War whether he is aware that, as between non-commissioned officers and privates, the former are not given their proper turn on the list of those waiting 627W for demobilisation in accordance with the existing Regulations; and whether he is prepared to see that the non-commissioned officers in the bakeries at Cologne are treated in the same manner as privates in respect to demobilisation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Demobilisation Regulations apply to non-commissioned officers and men alike, and I am not aware that the non-commissioned officers, referred to by my hon. Friend, have received different treatment. If they are eligible for demobilisation they will be released in accordance with the instructions recently issued providing for the early release of all soldiers who are eligible.