§ Captain ORMSBY-GOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can approve the demobilisation at an early date of A. C. Joseph Foster, Mess 32, H Block, His Majesty's ship "Excellent," Portsmouth, the only son of Mr. Foster, of Whitgreave, Stafford, a small farmer who cannot cultivate his holding without assistance owing to illness?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am advised that the man in question is a long-service2240W rating, and therefore not entitled to release. If he has good grounds for wishing to purchase his discharge, he should apply to his commanding officer, but—except in really urgent circumstances—men entered for continuous service engagements cannot be discharged until the men entered for hostilities have been demobilised.
§ Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary of State for War why the air mechanics attached to No. 20 Balloon Base, Kirkwall, who have been registered for early release since January last, are still kept in the Service; and, seeing that these men are not doing work, and are being kept at the public expense, will he see that their release for civil employment is immediately carried out?
§ Major-General SEELYI have called for a Report on the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as it is received.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that H. W. James, No. 49242, 5th Worcester Regiment, who would have completed twenty months' imprisonment on 13th May, was taken out of prison before the end of his sentence and court-martialled for the fifth time on 24th May; and whether he will authorise this man's immediate discharge, as he has been in military custody over twenty months?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe records in the Department show that James has been court-martialled on three occasions, and that he has not completed twenty months' imprisonment. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any information to the contrary, perhaps he- would furnish me with the particulars.
§ Mr. HARRY HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private William Cruikshank, No. 30225, M Company, 3rd Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, at Duddingstone, who is urgently required to assist his former employers, D. Stewart and Company, builders, Bonnybridge, in carrying on new house-building operations; and if he may now be demobilised for this purpose?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLPrivate Cruikshank is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. I am 2241W informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that an application was received by his Department on the 19th May, but as it was too late to certify him as pivotal or for special release under the Regulations, it was refused. If, how-ever, he is eligible for demobilisation under current instructions he will be released in due course.
§ Mr. J. A. PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Corporal F. Dawber, No. 139, A.T. Company, Royal Engineers, at present stationed at Constantinople, enlisted in1915went abroad on service on 4th April,1916, since which date he has never had a day's leave, is still being retained in the Service; and if he will take the necessary steps to have Corporal Dawber demobilised as early as possible?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLCorporal Dawber is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If he joined the Colours for continuous service in 1915 he is eligible for demobilisation and will be released as soon as circumstances permit. As I stated in the House on the 29th May in my speech on the Army Estimates, it is hoped that, if Peace is signed this month, all 1915 men will be sent home by the end of July.
§ Mr. PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for War why Sapper R. Dawber, No. 101504, 332nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, British ExpeditionaryForce, France, is still retained on active service, seeing that he joined the Army in 1915 and is thirty-nine years of age; and whether he will authorise his demobilisation as early as possible?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis man's cause has received careful consideration, but as the circumstances did not warrant his immediate demobilisation on compassionate grounds, I regret his release could not be sanctioned. If his age and length of ser-vice are as stated by my hon. Friend he will be released in due course.
§ Mr. H. M'LARENasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are in the Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), attached to the 118th Railway Company, Royal Engineers, ten drivers who are practically doing no useful work, three of whom have not driven a car for nearly two months; whether there are any men over thirty-seven years of age in this company or any 2242W men enlisted in 1914 or 1915; and, if so, what is the reason that these men have not been demobilised?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiry will be made as to this, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.
Captain SHAWasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private James Smith, S/25943, 415th Agricultural Company, Perth, has been arrested for failing to report to his unit, although he was the only assistant of his mother, who is a widow and a tenant of a small holding at Blackhills, Kirriemuir; and, seeing that the widow is over sixty years of age and physically incapable of feeding the stock and attending to the other work on the holding, will he arrange for the immediate demobilisation of Private Smith?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI regret I have no information regarding the arrest of Private Smith; but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the selection of soldiers for retention on the land has been placed in the hands of the local agricultural committee, to whom the case should be referred.
Mr. DOYLEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private J. H. Day, B Company, 3rd King's Own Scottish Borderers, stationed at Loch end Camp, Dunfermline, was attested in 1915 under the Derby scheme and has been with the Colours since February, 1916; was sent to the Western Front and was taken prisoner on 11th April, 1918, and detained in Germany until December, 1918, where he suffered great hardships during his captivity; was repatriated on 29th December, 1918, and returned to his regiment on 1st March, 1919, at Berwick; was sent thence to South Queensferry, then to Rosyth, and finally to Dunfermline; whether this soldier has now received instructions to return home on seven days' draft leave before being again sent overseas; and whether, in view of the special circumstances attaching to his case as a married man, instructions will be issued for his release or for the further consideration of his position?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis case will be covered by my answer to the general question on this subject asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (No. 165).
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of Slate for War 2243W whether he will give immediate instructions for the release of Private John Drew, No. 144557, 12th Company, Royal Army Medical Corps Staff, Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, aged forty-two, who has recently been boarded and certified as unfit for further service?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI find that the statement that No. 144557, Private John Drew, Royal Army Medical Corps, has recently been boarded and certified as unfit for further service is incorrect. This man was transferred from the Infantry to the Royal Army Medical Corps on the 20th August, 1918, and was placed in medical category Bii. by a travelling medical board in November, 1918, since when his category has not been altered. He is, of course, eligible for demobilisation by reason of his age, and will be released as soon as his services can be spared.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that William Dutton, No. 452595, 9th Reserve Battalion, London Regiment, who was sent back to the Army from the Prince-town Work Centre on 26th March last, was unable to work properly on account of his health, and suffered from debility, dyspepsia, and recurrent bronchitis; and whether he will investigate this ease with a view to Dutton's discharge from the Army on medical grounds?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis case was brought to notice in April last. A medical report as to the state of Dutton's health was then obtained, and this showed that he was fit to stand his trial by district court-martial which he was then awaiting.