§ Mr. J. M. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for War whether the two following men, Private J. Robinson, No. M.346669, 977th Motor Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps, Nor- 57W wich, and Private M. Astin, No. 581723, No. 2 Labour Group, Headquarters, A. P. O.4, British Expeditionary Force, who were applied for as pivotal men on the 20th December, 1918, by their employers, Messrs. Jesse Robinson and Sons, worsted yarn spinners, Halifax, were registered by the War Office as pivotal men before the 1st February; why their demobilisation is still delayed; and whether, in view of the fact that their retention in the Army prevents their employers from starting a spinning plant which would employ 120 people, he will now grant their release?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
§ Mr. GLANVILLEasked the Secretary of State for War whether any steps have been taken to release Private W. W. Still, No. 031837, R.A.O. Co., care of O.O. Docks, A.P.O. 4, France; and whether any attempt has been made to investigate his complaint that he has on three occasions fulfilled all necessary conditions for demobilisation without success?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInstructions have been issued concerning Private Still's demobilisation. Inquiries are being made into the cause of the delay, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as early as possible.
§ Mr. HARRY HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether Private James M'Farlane, No. 630894, 78th Labour Company, Second Army, British Expeditionary Force, Germany, who was applied for by his former employer, the Plean Co-operative Society, and who was severely wounded on 16th October, 1917, and is now in B2, can now be demobilised?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLPrivate M'Farlane is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. It would appear that the application made by the employer was either the usual "contract" offer of employment, or such as to obtain his registration as a "slip" man. Neither "contract" nor "slip" men are entitled to be demobilised unless they are eligible under current instructions, and this man's demobilisation is therefore dependent on whether or not he is eligible.
§ Mr. H. HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether Private John Duncan, No. 40880 1/7th Black Watch, now stationed at Perth, who has been urgently applied for by Mr. Thomas Main, farmer, 58W Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, for farm work, can now be demobilised, especially as the Board of Agriculture for Scotland has applied for his release?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInstructions concerning Private Duncan's demobilisation were issued some time ago. Inquiries will be made into the cause of the delay, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as early as possible.
§ Mr. HOPKINSasked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to secure the immediate demobilisation of Sapper G. Fowler, No. 42435, Royal Engineers (Signals), 61st Division, British Expeditionary Force, who enlisted in 1914 and has been in France nearly four years; and if he will take into account the health of the man's wife?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf the facts as to Sapper Fowler's enlistment are as stated, he will be eligible for demobilisation, unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service and has not completed Colour service. If he is eligible he will, no doubt, be released as soon as circumstances permit. If an application on compassionate grounds, giving full particulars, is submitted to the Secretary, War Office (Mobilisation), the case will be considered.
§ Mr. GLANVILLEasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to accede to the application for demobilisation on compassionate grounds of Pioneer Gregory, No. 321765, Royal Engineers (Signals), 42nd Division?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries will be made into the case, and my hon. Friend informed of the result as early as possible.
§ Mr. GLANVILLEasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to accede to the request for demobilisation on compassionate grounds of Private W. A. Phillips, No. 5592, Command Pay Office, Salonika?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries will be made into this case, and my hon. Friend informed of the result as early as possible.