§ Major HILLSasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the case of Private A. A. Moody, No. 88360, Machine Gun Corps; whether Private Moody attested on 10th December, 1915, was called up in 1916, went to France in August, 1917, and was taken prisoner in 1918; whether his two months' furlough, to which he was entitled, expired on 25th January, 1919, when he reported at Grantham, and during that time he had not received his special form for the demobilisation of prisoners; whether that form was posted to his home, addressed from Grantham, and received 1st February and forwarded to Private Moody in France; whether Private Moody thereupon took the form to his commanding officer, who 1299W refused to accept it, as he said it only applied to men on furlough; whether a gross mistake has been made; and can the matter be put right?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe form referred to, A.F.Z.68, was issued by the military authorities about the middle of January to all prisoners of war while on furlough. It was merely a form of application for demobilisation and the approval of any such application depends on the regulations as to demobilisation in force for the time being. As was explained by the Secretary of State for War in reply to the hon. Member for Kettering on the 25th February the liability of prisoners of war to service in the Armies of Occupation is governed by the same regulations which apply to all other soldiers. As Private Moody joined for service after the 1st January, 1916, he will be retained in the Armies of Occupation unless he is over thirty-seven or has three or more wound stripes or is approved for release on extreme compassionate grounds.