§ Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of of State for War why he decided to release ex-Sergeant M. Ellingham, who has now indicated that he will not stand for election in the Rotherham by-election; how many applications for release in this connection are now outstanding; and why a spokesman of his Department issued a statement to the Daily Herald to the effect that the Advisory Committee would no doubt take Ellingham's action into account when considering future applications.
§ Mr. ProfumoI released Sergeant Ellingham from the Army after the Advisory Committee, set up as a result of the recommendations of the Select Committee on Parliamentary Elections, had found that his application for release for the purpose of contesting a Parliamentary Election was abona fide application. One application from a soldier who wishes to leave the Army to contest a by-election is still to be considered by the Advisory Committee. I regret that the spokesman for my Department was inaccurately reported, and did not say what was attributed to him in the Daily Herald of the 8th March.