§ Mr. Bowerasked the Secretary of State for War when the machinery for getting applications for compassionate release from the Army expeditiously dealt with will be in operation.
§ Mr. LawsonI am satisfied that applications for compassionate releases are being dealt with expeditiously. With the relaxation of conditions the number of actual releases has increased rapidly: some 2,400 were authorised during the first three weeks of September. Such delay as occurs is due mainly to the submission of two or three separate applications relating to the same case, or to insufficient information being supplied by the applicant. The quickest method is for the soldier to apply to his Commanding Officer, giving full evidence, and to refrain from using other channels of approach while his case is in progress. The extra applications add to the work and almost always hold up the particular case.