§ Mr. CLOUGHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will reconsider the official decision in respect of the aplication for discharge of Tom Jowett, of H.M.S. "Malaya," who joined in June, 1914, and has served throughout the war, and whose widowed mother, who is in very poor circumstances, has great difficulty in maintaining her three young children without the help of her elder son; and whether, considering the boy's service in the war and the possible breakup of the family and home, he can regard this case as needing urgent compassionate treatment?
§ Colonel Sir J. CRAIGThe man in question entered the Navy on the 9th June, 1914, and signed an engagement to serve for 12 years. His application for free discharge was considered this year in connection with the reduction of personnel, but the case was not considered sufficiently urgent compared with those of other applicants to warrant his release. In reaching this decision, the family circumstances, the rate of pay he is receiving in the Navy, and the prospects of advancement in the Service, as compared with the wages offered him on shore in the event of his release, were taken into consideration. It is regretted, therefore, that his release cannot be sanctioned.