§ Mr. WASONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will consider whether it is possible that George Bray, aged twenty-one, can be released from service on compassionate grounds, as his father writes that he is an old man and quite unable to carry on the work of his croft and that the has two sons already serving His Majesty?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am advised that the circumstances, so far as known, would not justify this man being released out of his turn. It must be borne in mind that to release any man out of his turn means putting back the demobilisation of some other man.
§ Mr. WASONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will consider the possibility of demobilising L. F. Thomason, No. 4262 B, on compassionate grounds, as his wife's health has broken down through hard work and his croft has not been properly attended to since he was called up in 1914?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am advised that the circumstances of this case would not justify the release of this man out of his turn.
§ Mr. THOMAS DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for War why Trooper K. S. Hitchings, No. 235639, 1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry, No. 1 Yeomanry Base, Kantara, Egypt, is not demobilised, seeing that he joined the Colours in the spring of 1915, when only seventeen years of age; and whether he is aware that both 896W his commanding officer and the Labour Exchange have been written to on the subject, but no reply has been received?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf Trooper Hitchings joined the Colours on the date stated, he will, no doubt, be demobilised in due course. I am not aware of the applications referred to having been made on his behalf, but he is not registered by the War Office either as "pivotal" or for "special release." It would appear that the application that was made to the Labour Exchange was either the usual "contract" offer of employment or such as to obtain his registration as a "slip" man.
§ Major HENDERSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an application for the release of Private A. Reid, No. 1446684, D Company, Machine Gun Corps, XIth Corps Concentration Camp, British Expeditionary Force, France, on compassionate grounds, has been refused; that this man's father, Mr. Reid, 114, Blackburn Street, Plantation, Glasgow, S.S., joined the Army in 1915, when over fifty, and was finally discharged in February, and that, owing to strain brought on through training, he is now only able to undertake light work; that the mother is very delicate; and that, of the other two children, one is a girl younger than Private Reid, and the other an elder married son who joined up in August, 1914, and who was discharged three months later as unfit owing to a weak heart, which has prevented him from returning to his original employment in the Post Office; and whether, in view of all the above circumstances and the fact that this case has been personally investigated, he will issue instructions for Private Reid to be released forthwith on compassionate grounds as he has employment awaiting him?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries are being made into this case, and my hon. and gallant Friend will be informed of the result as soon as possible.
§ Major HENDERSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private I. McGovern, No. M/320583, Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), 12th Pontoon Park, British Expeditionary Force, France, at present at home on leave at 152, Watt Street, Glasgow, S.S., has been granted extension of leave until the 28th instant on account of the serious illness of his wife and children; and whether, in view of the fact 897W that this man is over 37 years of age and the serious illness of his family, he will issue instructions for him to be demobilised at home or, if this is not possible, will he expedite his demobilisation on his return to France?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLMen on leave from France cannot be demobilised whilst on leave, but must return to their units in France on the expiration of their leave. If my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have a statement giving full particulars vouched for by himself, or by a clergyman, a Justice of the Peace, or a doctor, the application will be considered.
§ Mr. F. C. THOMSONasked the Secretary of State for War why Signaller Sydney Youngson, No. 218065, Headquarters, 20th Field Artillery Brigade, 27th Division, Salonika Force, a pivotal man, is still retained with the Colours; and whether he will issue instructions for his immediate release?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLPrivate Youngson is not registered by the War Office as pivotal, and I am informed that there is no trace at the Ministry of Labour of his having been so certified by that Department. His demobilisation is dependent on whether or not he is eligible under current instructions.
§ Mr. F. C. THOMSONasked the Secretary of State for War why Corporal D. H. Macdonald, No. 36390, Royal Engineers, dispatch rider, 1st Army Signals, British Expeditionary Force, who was passed by the Ministry of Labour as a pivotal man, is still being retained with the Colours, seeing that instructions as to Corporal Macdonald's release were issued on the 4th February; and if he will issue instructions that these be immediately carried into effect?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries are being made as to the cause of the delay in releasing Corporal Macdonald, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.
§ Mr. WATERSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of releasing Private J. W. Walduck, No. 255903, 437th Agricultural Company, category B 2, who in civil employment is a shop manager for food distribution, supervising a staff; and whether it would be better, seeing the low category of the man and employed on work he does not understand, to allow him in the 898W nation's interest as well as economy to return to his previous employers, who have asked for his release?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf Private Walduck is eligible for demobilisation he will no doubt be released in due course. Men in agricultural companies who are not eligible for demobilisation are shortly being withdrawn to military duty and those in the category referred to will then be retained provided they are capable of doing the work for which they are required.
§ Major Earl WINTERTONasked the Secretary of State for War if Lance-Corporal A. F. Hearsey, No. 017244, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Ammunition Section, British Expeditionary Force, France, who joined the Army in March, 1916, attested 8th December, 1915, can now be released on compassionate grounds, in view of the difficulty experienced by his father, with whom he is in partnership, in carrying on his business?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere is no trace of any application on compassionate grounds having been received from Lance-Corporal Hearsey, neither is he registered at the War Office as pivotal or for special release. If my hon. and gallant Friend will obtain a statement giving the full compassionate grounds on which this claim is made, vouched for by himself, a clergyman, a justice of the peace, or a doctor, the case will be considered. I would point out, however, that a claim on business grounds solely cannot be dealt with as a compassionate case.