§ Mr. Piratinasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will devise more speedy machinery to inquire into and deal with compassionate cases of urgency brought to his attention by hon. Members.
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§ Mr. LawsonI have throughout been most anxious that compassionate cases should be dealt with promptly, both those which come from Members of Parliament and those which come direct. About 1,600 letters relating to compassionate cases arrive daily. They are at once read through in order to ascertain which cases are of greatest apparent urgency. These are immediately taken into urgent action, while all other cases of less apparent urgency are dealt with as promptly as possible. Notwithstanding increases of staff in the branch dealing with these matters, and a noticeable speeding up, the number makes it difficult to deal with these cases as speedily as I would wish, but I am keeping careful watch on the position.