§ Captain BAGLEYasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the retention in the Army of Private K. Partington, No. 76702, Royal Engineers, Blackdown Camp, Farnborough, a builder's manager, and the statement of his employer that he could take from twenty to thirty men off the unemployment list if this man were released; and whether, with a view to effecting a saving of unemployed donation, he will use his influence with the War Office to secure the demobilisation of Private Partington?
§ Sir R. HORNEThis soldier was not registered by the Ministry of Labour as a pivotal man before1st February, the date on which the pivotal lists were closed, nor does he appear to be eligible for demobilisation under the present regulations either on the ground of age or length of service. I am considering the general question raised by eases of this kind, but at present I am not in a position to take any action in this particular instance.
Mr. ROBERTSasked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that Private D. Watton, No. 88279, 1/7 Royal Welsh Fusiliers, attached 19th General Hospital, Alexandria, and who joined the forces in October, 1914, has not had any leave since June, 1915; and whether arrangements can be made for his early release?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf Private Watton's length of service is as stated by my hon. Friend he is eligible for demobilisation unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service and his term of Colour service is not completed; if he is eligible he will be released as soon as circumstances permit.
§ Mr. HOPKINSasked when Lance-Corporal A. Piper, No. 116262, Royal Army Medical Corps, at present at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, will be released, 1219W having in mind that this man is of a very low medical category and over thirty-nine years of age?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInstructions have already been issued for Lance-Corporal Piper's release, but as he is serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps he is liable to be temporarily retained as part of the military machinery for demobilisation, until his services can be spared or he can be replaced.
§ Major HILLSasked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Driver Robert Parker, No. 356210. No. 8 Auxiliary Horse Company, Royal Army Service Corps, British Expeditionary Force; whether he is aware that Driver Parker was forty-three years of age last October; that he has a one-man business as a general dealer at Gilesgate Moor, Durham, and that his presence is urgently required in order to carry on the business, as his wife cannot do so without him; that his wife applied for his release through the Sunderland Labour Exchange early in January, and that Driver Parker subsequently received the necessary forms when in Belgium, and signed and returned them to his commanding officer; that a little later he was told that his leave was stopped as he would be released shortly; that he has recently, notwithstanding, been granted fourteen days' leave, but has not yet been demobilised; and whether, in view of Driver Parker's age and the other circumstances in the case, he can now be released?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLDriver Parker is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his age is as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend, he is eligible for demobilisation, unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service and his term of Colour service is not completed. If he is eligible he will be released as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.
§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Secretary for War if he is aware that the Ministry of Labour has recommended the demobilisation of Private A. Milliship, No. 438886, 472nd Agricultural Company, and requested that his release may be accelerated; and can he state why this soldier is being retained?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLPrivate Milliship is not registered either as pivotal or for special release, nor is there any trace of any application having been received on his behalf by the War Office. If he is1220W eligible under current instructions he will be demobilised as soon as the exigencies of the Service permit.
§ Mr. WASONasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been directed to the fact that Private Flett is a junior partner in the firm of Flett and Company, Kirkwall, and that application was made some time ago by the Board of Agriculture (Scotland) for his demobilisation as a pivotal man; and if, being forty-two years of age, he is entitled to be demobilised?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of Private Flett's regimental number and regiment, inquiries will be made.
§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Sergeant S. T. Saunders, No. 70590, Wireless Troop, Royal Engineers, Desert Mounted Force Headquarters, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, is still being retained in the Army although he was called up on the outbreak of war and sent abroad in May, 1915, and has had no home leave since then; and if he will give instructions that he shall be released as soon as possible?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLSergeant Saunders is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his length of service is as stated by my Noble Friend he is eligible for demobilisation unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service and his term of Colour service is not completed. If he is eligible he will be released as soon as circumstances permit. Personnel of the Royal Engineers, though eligible for demobilisation, are liable to fee temporarily retained as part of the military machinery of demobilisation until their services can be dispensed with or they can be replaced.