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Armed Forces (Releases)

Volume 390: debated on Tuesday 1 June 1943

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asked the Prime Minister whether he will cause a revision to be made of the cases where Service Departments have refused to grant a release of an only son, so that he could carry on farming or other business concerned with the national war effort, where the widow is unable through ill-health, or is otherwise incapable of carrying on any such business, and avoiding the sale thereof, which would otherwise be available for the man after the war?

Every case which concerns a farm or business of importance to the war effort and which is recommended by the Government Department concerned, is considered by the Service Department in consultation with the Ministry of Labour, and the man may be released for a limited or indefinite period. In cases not so recommended releases on compassionate grounds for a limited period, which may be extended, are often granted to enable the man to make arrangements for the business to be carried on, but it is not considered that releases for an indefinite period would in these cases be justified.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the refusal by Service Departments to grant the release of men whose wives have died, leaving in some cases several young children, giving rise to general dissatisfaction; and whether he will now favourably consider granting releases where it is shown that the home life and upbringing of the children render the release desirable?

Every such case is carefully and sympathetically considered on its merits and the man is usually released for a period in order to make arrangements for the care of his children. This period may be extended but permanent releases cannot be granted in these cases. I regret that the man-power position does not enable a general change to be made in the present policy.