§ MR. GUY BARING (Winchester)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many men will be returning from abroad during the coming trooping season for discharge or transfer to the Army Reserve; what steps will be taken to assist these men in finding employment; and whether he will consider the advisability of giving them the option of being attached to their home battalions till they find employment or till the close of the winter.
§ MR. HALDANEIt is not possible to give the figures asked for without reference to all the record offices, and the compilation would involve considerable clerical labour. A number of those brought home from abroad do not complete their colour service for periods of three, four, or five months. All who are within two months of the expiration of their colour service are given furloughs on full pay with ration allowance, and thus are enabled to look for work. The remainder, as a matter of course, are allotted to home units. The suggestion of the hon. Member to allow men who had completed their service to remain 761 with the colours would involve an increase of the British Establishment.