§ Mr. CAIRNSasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Sapper A. Smith, No. 62645 of the No. 2: wireless observation group, Egypt, enlisted in November, 1914; that he has served at the Dardanelles, in Palestine, and Egypt without home leave; that he has suffered from dysentery, sandfly fever, and malaria; and that his commanding officer has certified him as available for demobilisation without substitution; whether the average task of the three operators at this station is one message per day between them; and whether he will take immediate steps to release this man?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf Sapper Smith's length of service is as stated by my hon. Friend he is eligible for demobilisation. I would refer to the statement I made in my speech on the Army Estimates on 29th May, regarding the proposed demobilisation of 1914 and 1915 men if circumstances permit.
Mr. G. MURRAYasked the Secretary of State for War whether the application of Lance-corporal James M. Leighton, mechanical transport, Royal Army Service Corps, for release on extreme compassionate grounds has been brought to his notice; whether he is aware that both the father and the mother are, in the absence of their son, carrying on their business, which is their sole means of support, at great risk to their health, as is shown by medical and magisterial certificates already forwarded to the War Office; whether he is aware that if this soldier is not released immediately the father and 631W mother may not only lose their health for all time, but also their business; if he will, in these circumstances, cause inquiries to be made on the spot to ascertain whether the particulars given are accurate in every respect; and, if so, if he will give instructions for the immediate release from the Army of Lance-Corporal James Leighton?
Captain GUESTLance-Corporal Leighton's case has received careful consideration, but the circumstances were not considered such as to warrant his immediate release on compassionate grounds. As my right hon. Friend stated in his speech on the Army Estimates on 29th May, he is considering whether compassionate cases on other than purely family grounds cannot now come into consideration, at any rate for a limited number.
§ Mr. HARRY HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Lance-Corporal John C. Carana, No. M/280840, 4th General Headquarters (Reserve), Motor Transport Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, who landed in France on 20th June, 1915, as a motor ambulance driver and attested in the Army on 2nd March, 1916, and is now entitled to the 1915 Star and chevrons; and whether he can now be demobilised, being required at his old work?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLLance Corporal Carana's service counts from the date he joined the Colours for continuous service. As he did not join until March, 1916, he is not eligible for demobilisation, unless he is rendered eligible on account of age or wounds.
§ Mr. HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the ease of Private J. K. Buntain, SE/35454, No. 1 Field Veterinary Detachment, Army Veterinary Corps, Palestine, who joined up voluntarily in January, 1916, when a bank clerk, but is now urgently required to carry on his father's farm in Stirlingshire; and whether, under those circumstances and having been wounded at Gaza, he can now be demobilised?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAs Private Buntain did not join the Colours for immediate service prior to 1st January, 1916, he is not eligible for demobilisation under current instructions, unless he is rendered eligible on account of age or wounds.
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§ Mr. HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Driver John Retson, No. 646732, 27th Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Ireland, who joined up voluntarily under the Derby scheme in 1916, served in Egypt, had pneumonia and was invalided, and whose shop, a hairdresser's, is shut; and whether, on compassionate or other grounds, he can now be demobilised?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAs Private Retson did not join the Colours for continuous service until after 1st January, 1916, it is regretted he is ineligible for demobilisation and until fresh Regulations are issued with regard to men who joined under the Derby scheme he must be held to serve with the Armies of Occupation. An application on his behalf has already been made to the War Office, but the case was not considered as coining within the definition of "extreme compassionate grounds" and consequently could not be granted.
§ Mr. HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private J. Penrice, 3rd Royal Scots, who has about three-and-a-half years' service, was gassed, and was a prisoner of war in Germany for nine month, his father, who farms 1,500 acres in Stirlingshire, requiring him urgently; and whether, under these circumstances, he can now be released from the Army?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLPrivate Penrice's demobilisation is dependent on whether or not he is eligible under current Regulations. A previous application in his case has already been made, but it is regretted that his demobilisation on compassionate grounds could not be granted, and the applicant was so informed on the 30th May last.
Lieut.-Colonel R. PEELasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make inquiries into the case of Private A. N. Pike, No. 547592, Labour Corps, who has been waiting discharge at Sutton as medically unfit, B 179, and has now been removed to Eastchurch Camp, Isle of Sheppey, Kent; and whether in view of his being urgently required for work in his trade of printing, he will take steps to hasten his release from the Army?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries are being made, and I will acquaint my hon. and gallant Friend of the result as soon as possible.
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§ Major W. MURRAYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that application has been made to the War Office for the release of Private. Alexander Hunter, No. 203940, 3rd Scottish Rifles, on compassionate grounds and has been refused; whether he is aware that this man's mother, wife, and two young children live together, have no outside means of support, and are wholly dependent upon him; that the mother is a widow sixty-seven years of age, and the children two and five years old, respectively, and that a sister also lives with the family who is too delicate to work regularly, and requires all her earnings to keep herself; and whether, in consideration of the circumstances of Private Hunter's family, he will have the application made on his behalf reconsidered?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries are being made, and my hon. and gallant Friend will be informed of the result as early as possible.
§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private W. Taylor, No. 120878, Royal Army Medical Corps, Prince of Wales' Camp, Blancher Bagnes, Jersey, was twice rejected for military service in the early years of the War, having lost the sight of one eye before 1914, but was passed O 2 in May, 1917; that he is over forty years of age, and has had five brothers in the Army, of whom one has served for twenty-two years, and another for eighteen; that Taylor's wife is quite incapacitated for work by ill-health; and that three months ago Taylor was recommended to his commanding officer for discharge from the Army on compassionate grounds; and whether, in view of all the circumstances mentioned, he will now order that Taylor be discharged?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf Private Taylor's age is as stated by my hon. Friend, he is eligible for demobilisation, and he will be released as soon as circumstances permit. I am not aware that his demobilisation on compassionate grounds was recommended, but inquiries will be made, and my hon. Friend informed of the result as early as possible.
§ Major HENDERSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner A. McIlveen, No. 159157, Royal Garrison Artillery, formerly 250th Siege Battery, British Expeditionary Force, and now stationed at Gosport, has 634W been informed that he is to be retained in the Army; and whether, in view of the fact that this man is forty-two years of age, he will take steps to have him released?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. So far as I am aware, Gunner McIlveen has not been so informed, and steps have already been taken to expedite his release.