HC Deb 09 July 1946 vol 425 cc40-2W
25. Commander Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now give his decision on the case of 554793 Private S. J. Carroll, late R. A. O C., details of whose case have been sent to him.

Mr. Lawson

The orders for recall have been cancelled in this case.

40. Colonel Stoddart-Scott

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has yet completed his investigation into why T/14427913 Driver J. Parker, 19 G. T. Company, R. A. S. C., B. A. O. R., has not yet recovered his watch and 2,503 Belgian francs, illegally held in the divisional welfare fund; and what instructions he has issued to the commander, 53rd Division, to ensure that this man obtains his rightful possessions.

Mr. Bellenger

The investigations are not yet completed but the money involved was credited to the soldier's account in April last. The watch has not yet been traced. When the case is completed, I will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

66. Mr. Yates

asked the Secretary of State for War why T/174863 Driver P. McGuire was removed from a detention camp at Shepton Mallet to Wormwood Scrubbs and later to Dartmoor; and if he will state the term of imprisonment this soldier is expected to serve.

Mr. Bellenger

This soldier and a number of others were transferred to civil prisons following the destruction of a large amount of military prison accommodation during the disturbances at Aldershot and Northallerton. Their accommodation and subsequent moves were then controlled by the civil authorities. Men were originally selected for transfer according to the nature of their sentence and their conduct record. Driver McGuire's sentence has recently been reviewed by my Department, however, and as a result he will be released in the near future on a suspended sentence.

67. Mr. Yates

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now completed his investigation of the claim of S/Cdr. 5618041 F. Markland, as submitted to him by the hon. Member for Ladywood on 28th February; and if all moneys due to this demobilised soldier have been paid.

Mr. Bellenger

As already explained to my hon. Friend by letter, it was necessary to refer to India and I am afraid that the local investigation unavoidably took a long time. Some adjustments of the soldier's account have already been carried out and I am glad to say that a report on the other items has now arrived from India and is being dealt with. I will give the full details in a letter to my hon. Friend.

72. Mr. Baldwin

asked the Secretary of State for War why compassionate leave has been refused by Royal Signals Record Office, Caversham, to 14416169 Signalman Smith, G.A.R. in spite of the fact that his application is supported by his doctor and by the local welfare officer for the Hereford district.

Mr. Bellenger

This young soldier has already been granted 24 weeks' compassionate leave expiring on 26th July, to enable him to make alternative arrangements relating to a business. This would seem to be ample for that purpose and, as at present advised, I see no ground for a further extension.

75. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for War why permission has not been given to 10555824, Private J. Flee:, Signal Platoon, H.Q. Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, C.M.F., to marry his Sicilian fiancee, since application for marriage was made in January last and all the papers are in order.

Mr. Bellenger

I have no information on this matter but I have called for a report and will write to the hon. Member when it is received.