§ 111. Mr. Prittasked the Secretary of State for War when 13106997 Private Joseph Edenhoffer, R.A.S.C., now at Elles Barracks, Farnborough, whose demobilisation is now two months overdue, will be demobilised.
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§ Mr. BellengerPrivate Edenhoffer is in Group 41 and was due for release in the period 6th to 19th October. On 15th October an application was received in the Repatriation Office for his repatriation to Czechoslovakia. The required authority to travel through Austria has now been obtained and a transit visa for travel through France is being sought. These arrangements will be completed shortly and Private Edenhoffer will then be repatriated to Czechoslovakia for release.
§ Mr. C. Smithasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet given consideration to the petition in respect of Private Bowring, which was forwarded to him on 14th November by the hon. Member for Colchester; whether he is aware that copies of this petition were forwarded to the commanding officer concerned on 3rd October; and when the solicitors acting on behalf of Private Bowring may expect to receive some communication on the subject other than a formal acknowledgment.
§ Mr. BellengerI have received a copy of the petition submitted to the Superior Military Authority concerned by solicitors acting on behalf of Private Bowring. There has been unavoidable delay in replying to the petition due to the disbandment of one of the formations concerned and to the illness of the president of the court from whom a statement had to be obtained. The petition had also to be referred twice to the Judge Advocate-General whose final advice on the petition was sent to the superior Military Authority on 27th November, 1946. A communication on this subject was sent on 29th November to the solicitors and to the prison in which Private Bowring is serving.