§ Mr. ALLEN PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the case of Gunner Peter Houghton, No. 1423331, 210 Room, Royal Garrison Artillery, 1st Training Battery, Woolwich, who joined the Army on 19th June, 1922, through industrial depression; that his father is over 60 years of age, has under- 829W gone three operations, is now a confirmed invalid, and has not worked for 2½ years, that his mother is unfit to follow any other work than household duties, and the two other children are a girl aged 15 years, earning 10s. a week when she works a full week, and a boy aged 12 years, the full income of the home being 10s. per week from the girl and 7s. 6d. per week National Health Insurance for the father, their home address being 51, Little Lane, Pemberton, Wigan; and whether, in view of the fact that the colliery where he worked is now working better time and that the manager has promised to employ him at his own work as a coal cutter if he can get home again, he will consider the case on compassionate grounds, and, if possible, grant his discharge?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI have no information on this case beyond that given me by the hon. Member, but I am inquiring into it, and will inform him in due course whether discharge on compassionate grounds can be allowed.