§ Sir JAMES AGG-GARDNERasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Captain J. K. Gray, attached to the 43rd Infantry Brigade, at Lahore, was promised demobilisation early in April last in order to enable him to take up a valuable civil appointment; that this promise, made in his name, was confirmed by the Secretary of State for India by letter; that Captain Gray is still detained in India; and that, notwithstanding frequent inquiries, the usual courtesy of a reply has been in this case withheld?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA cablegram was sent to India on the 1st instant, authorising Captain Gray's release. The date of his departure, however, is still dependent upon the reopening of demobilisation from India, the suspension of which is the cause of delay.
§ Mr. W. SHAWasked the Secretary of State for War why M/401727, Private R. L. McLaren, 6th Auxiliary Steam Company, M.T.R.A.S.C., British Army on Rhine, has not been demobilised, seeing that he is forty-three years of age; and if he will take immediate steps to have this soldier demobilised?
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§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf Private McLaren's age is as stated by my hon. Friend, he will be demobilised in accordance with the instructions recently issued, making provision for the early release of all men eligible for demobilisation.
§ Mr. WATERSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can release at once Bandsman W. Hibbins, No. 201755, 4th Royal Sussex Regiment, British Expeditionary Force, Germany, and Private H. E. A. Turner, No. 3 Section, B Company, 9th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, Lowland Division, Army of the Rhine, seeing that these men's certificates were duly signed and sent in before 28th January, 1919; and, as these men's employers are prepared and waiting to give them employment, if he will instigate inquiries as to the reason why these men are held, which is disorganising many men whose employment is consequent on these men's return?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLPrivates Hibbins and Turner are not registered by the War office cither as pivotal or for special release, and I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that they are not so registered by his Department. The certificates referred to by the hon. Member were probably contract offers of employment, such as to obtain their registration as slip-men, but this alone does not render them eligible for demobilisation. If, however, they are eligible for demobilisation under the Regulations recently issued, they will be demobilised accordingly.
§ Mr. WATERSONasked the Secretary of State for War if he can release Gunner A. Wilkie, No. 152476, 132nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Black Sea Army, who joined up in April, 1917; and seeing that this man was applied for through the Labour Exchanges, etc., that he is the manager of a large stores where only girls are now employed, that such business is being seriously handicapped owing to his absence, and that his employment is still awaiting him, if he will consider this case in the light of the said circumstances?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLGunner Wilkie is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, and I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is not so registered by his Department. The application by this man's employers, referred to 1167W by the hon. Member, was probably a contract offer of employment such as to obtain his registration as a slip-man, but this alone does not render him eligible for demobilisation. If, however, he is eligible for demobilisation under the instructions recently issued, he will be demobilised accordingly.