§ Mr. N. M'LEANasked the Secretary of State for War if he has inquired into the 615W circumstances of Private D. M'Innes, No. 313766, A Company, S.C.L.C., attached R Company, Royal Army Service Corps (F.D.); if he is aware that this man was admitted to Merryflats War Hospital on 15th July, 1918, suffering from heart trouble, for six weeks, and twelve days after discharge had to be readmitted to hospital and spent another six months there, and on 5th February was sent to dispersal camp for demobilisation, but was sent back to his company without further examination; and if he will give instructions for the demobilisation of a man so obviously unfit for military service?
Captain GUESTI have no information regarding this case, but am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member as early as possible.
Mr. T. WILSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Sapper J. W. Gee, No. 96483, of L Signals Battalion, Royal Engineers, British Expeditionary Force, who is forty-six years of age and medical category B 3, is being retained with the forces; that demobilisation order form Z39, No. R8/Z2/4,669, issued by officer commanding records, Chatham, was delivered at this man's home address on 10th February, and that the officer commanding L Company stated that there was an embargo against the release of such men; and whether he will see that men of his age and category are immediately released?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries are being made into this case, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result as early as possible.
Mr. WILSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are 350 men with L Signal Battalion who have been in France since 1914; that 130 of them have been there since August, 1914, and that seventeen of these men are employed on work other than telegraphy; and whether he proposes to take immediate steps to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result as early as possible.
Mr. WILSONasked the Secretary of State for War if he will say what is the number of signallers who are being retained with the L Signal Battalion in France; whether among the number two are forty-four years of age, four are forty- 616W three years of age, five are forty-two years of age, three are forty-one years of age, and twenty-five are between thirty-five and forty; whether he is aware that some of these men have been with the forces since 1914; and whether he will take immediate steps to place the incidence of military service on a more fair basis?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result as early as possible. I think the present demobilisation scheme is based on the fairest lines possible.
§ Major NALLasked the Secretary of State for War whether Private T. F. Aldred, No. 39514, Worcester Regiment, has been transferred from Gosport to Newcastle-on-Tyne in readiness to proceed to Russia; and whether, in view of the state of this man's health, due to treatment whilst a prisoner in the hands of the Germans, he will give orders for his retention in England to await early demobilisation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am having inquiry made, and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result as early as possible.