§ 31. Squadron-Leader Donnerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a soldier demobilised at Guildford on 16th January, particulars of whom have been sent to him, found no 143W civilian suit to fit him; was measured for one and given written directions as to where to apply if he did not receive the completed article within 28 days; that he has received no acknowledgement upon fulfilling these instructions; that no Civilian suit, after two months delay, has been issued to him; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
Mr. Bellenģer:I understand that the man in question has now received his suit and has expressed his satisfaction with it.
Mr. Paģetasked the Secretary of State for War why no suit, hat, and shirt, were available for Mr. J. G. Ladner on discharge at No. 3 Civilian Clothing Depot, Northampton, on 15th January, 1946, and why the commandant at the civilian ordnance depot at Branston has failed to supply these articles in response to application by Form M.O. 297, or to answer letters dated 11th February, 25th February and 13th March; and when Mr. Ladner may expect his clothes.
§ Mr. Lawson:Delay in the issue of clothing only occurs when a man cannot be fitted from sizes in stock. Every effort is made to reduce the time lag in these cases to the minimum in all civilian clothing Depots. All available staff is being employed to ensure the rapid dispatch of clothing, and this inevitably means some delay in dealing with the large volume of correspondence about individual items of clothing. These difficulties are, however, of a temporary nature due to the recent rapid rate of release and I hope that they will be overcome in the near future. Mr. Ladner's clothing was despatched on 28th March.
§ Captain C. Smithasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will examine the reasons for which a N.C.O., T/1441546, with 552 Company, R.A.S.C., B.A.O.R., is being retained; and whether, in view of the considerations submitted in a letter from the hon. Member for Colchester, dated 26th March, he will arrange for this N.C.O.s release.
§ Mr. Lawson:It was decided that this N.C.O. need not be retained beyond his release date. He left his unit on the way home on 25th March and he should, therefore, be released well within the period laid down for his Group, which ends on 20th April.
144W
§ Lieut.-Colonel Byersasked the Secretary of State for War why 1439847 Sapper W. Burge, 719 A.W. Company, Platoon 3, Royal Engineers, B.A.O.R., a bricklayer in release group 39, has not been offered a Class B release.
§ Mr. Lawson:In meeting the demands of the Ministry of Labour and National Service for bricklayers, we have not reached age and service Group 39 in the Corps of Royal Engineers.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Byersasked the Secretary of State for War when the hon. and gallant Member for North Dorset can expect an answer to his letter of nth February, concerning 1435711 Gunner L. W. Pike.
§ Mr. Lawson:A reply was sent to the hon. and gallant Member's letter on 26th March.
§ Lieutenant-Colonel Byersasked the Secretary of State for War why 14610416 Lance-Corporal W. J. Pike, X Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, C.M.F., a builder in release group 36, has not yet been offered his release under Class B.
§ Mr. Lawson:This man's release under Class B has now been authorised. Some delay occurred in this case owing to his trade having been incorrectly recorded in the War Office Central Card Index.
§ Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to grant Class C release to 14432666 Sapper G. Nicholls, No. 4 Platoon, 678 A.W. Coy., R.E., B.A.O.R., who has already made application.
§ Mr. Lawson:A recommendation for repatriation on compassionate grounds has been sent to B.A.O.R., but I must emphasise that the decision rests with the authorities in B.A.O.R. if it is decided that Sapper Nicholls should be repatriated he should make an application for compassionate release through his Commanding Officer on arrival in the United Kingdom.