§ Mr. ATKEYasked the Secretary of State for War if he could see his way to modify the grounds for compassionate release in order to include such cases as those of Corporal H. Bates, No. 60074, Machine Gun Corps. Acting-Sergeant A. Watson, No. 288668, Leicestershire Regiment, and Signaller G. Crook, No. 77385, Royal Garrison Artillery, whose releases are urgently needed by their widowed 2301W mothers who fulfil all the conditions of a mother entitled to the return of her son except that they have not two children dependent upon them?
Captain GUESTAs was stated on the 23rd July, in reply to the hon. Member for St. Rollox, the Memorandum published on the 17th instant greatly enlarges the scope of the demobilisation Regulations, and also renders eligible numbers of men not previously eligible for release. Under the circumstances, I regret that I cannot at present consent to any further modification of the Regulations governing demobilisation. During May and June, 7,864 releases on compassionate grounds, were authorised, in addition to over 25,000 in previous months.