§ 9. Mr. JOWETTasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the feeling among the relatives of soldiers and among the public generally that the military authorities are acting unfeelingly as well as unfairly by sending back to the trenches men who have newly recovered from wounds, in many instances time after time, before their turn comes to go into the trenches again; and whether he intends to take action in this matter?
§ Mr. FORSTERI was not aware that there is any such feeling as my hon. Friend refers to. I can assure him that men are not sent back to the front until they have fully recovered from wounds and are fit for service in the field. When such men have returned to the front they would necessarily have to take their turn to go into the trenches with their battalion, but they would not, of course, be taken out of their turn in ordinary circumstances. Trained and experienced men are, of course, valuable, and I think I may say that commanding officers at the front are too well aware of the value of the services of these experienced men to subject them to any avoidable risk or strain.
§ Mr. HUGH LAWIs it a fact, as stated by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Dundee the other day, that the wounded men are placed in a class as men who are the first to be sent back to France?
§ Mr. FORSTERI do not think that I could apply that as a general rule.
§ Mr. REDDYIs it not a fact, as the hon. Member for Dundee said, that men who remain at home are promoted, even to the rank of major, and men in the trenches often receive no promotion at all?
§ Mr. FORSTERI do not think that that arises out of this question.