§ Mr. ROBERT YOUNGasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in relation to one-man-business men, applications for their release received before 3rd January will be treated in the same way as applications for pivotal men and their release ordered irrespective of their ages; and, if so, whether the appeal sent in on January 16th on D.F. 2a form on behalf of Private E. Whittaker, No. 47666, B Company Headquarters, ⅛th Lancashire Fusiliers, will be sent to his officer commanding with instructions for his release?
50W
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer to the answer given to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for York on the 25th of February. Proprietors of one-man businesses for whom recommendations for special release were received by the War Office from the Ministry of Labour before the 1st of February, 1919, receive the same priority as pivotal men registered by the War Office before that date; this applies irrespectively of age or service; and I am assured that instructions concerning Private Whittaker's demobilisation have been sent to the officer commanding his unit.