§ Major LLOYD-GREAMEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his 57W attention has been drawn to the case of Private G. Hancock, No. 402674, 47th Motor Ambulance Convoy, British Expeditionary Force, and that this man's age is forty-five years; whether he is aware that applications, both to the War Office and to his commanding officer, for his demobilisation have been disregarded; and whether, in view of his age, he will give instructions for his early demobilisation?
Captain GUESTInquiries are already being made in this case, and I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result as early as possible.
§ Mr. WASONasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been directed to the case of Private J. E. S. Mowat, No. 456 Agricultural Company, Inverness, whose father is a very old man and can no longer manage his farm without his son's help; is he aware that this man's name was sent forward on the first pivotal list, and since then the Board of Agriculture have been in communication with the War Office for his release; and it he will have inquiry made as to why this soldier is working in Inverness when his presence is so much required at home?
Captain GUESTInquiries are already being made in this case, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as early as possible.
§ Major LLOYD-GREAMEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Gunner J. H. Ward, 740558, 266th Composite Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, Egyptian Expeditionary Force; whether he is aware that this man joined for service at the outbreak of war at the, age of eighteen years and six months, went to France in 1915, and has not been home since; that applications, to which no answer has been received, have been made to the Labour Exchange, the Record Office, and the War Office, for his release on compassionate grounds on account of his mother's health; that his only brother is also serving in the Army; and whether, under all the circumstances of the case, he will give instructions for his early demobilisation?
Captain GUESTInquiries are already being made in this case, and I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result as early as possible.
§ Mr. ALLEN PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware 58W that Private W. Cooper, No. 23212, C Company, 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, is being retained in the Army of Occupation now stationed at Bonn, Germany, in spite of the fact that he joined the Army on 8th July, 1915, and is now forty-four years of age, and whether he will take steps to have Private Cooper released at an early date?
Captain GUESTPrivate Cooper is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his age and length of service areas 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. Senior officers have been appointed to inspect unit registers with a view to ensuring that no officers or men who are eligible for demobilisation are being retained without good and sufficient cause.