§ 86. Mr. WINGasked the Secretary of State for War if he will assure the public that wounded soldiers after recovery are not hurried back to the trenches until all the members of their unit at the base have been called to the front, and thus destroy an impression that is abroad that the wounded soldier when recovered is sent to the trenches irrespective of the reserves at the base?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy hon. Friend will see that it must be impossible to make any statement on this matter which shall not be open to exception in exceptional cases. As between men recovered from their wounds who might be in this country and men in the base depots in France it would obviously be natural to take the latter first, especially in any emergency suddenly arising, but all men waiting as reserves at the base in the base depots would, of course, be equally available for drafting to the front, and if more men were wanted than were in the depot all those present would doubtless be taken, but if the numbers present were greater than the draft required some selection would have to be made, and this would doubtless be made upon the principle of selecting the fittest and most suitable men.