§ 8. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many Non-Combatant companies have been sent to Egypt, Salonika, East Africa, and Mesopotamia, respectively; how many Eastern Companies, Non-Combatant Companies, have been formed; whether men sent abroad in these companies have received the ordinary leave granted to men proceeding abroad; whether any men in these companies persist in disregarding military orders; whether any have been court-martialled; and whether he receives regular reports as to their conduct and treatment?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)This question of my hon. Friend and others seems to be based on the assumption stated in the last part, i.e.,that regular reports as to the doings of each individual of the Non-Combatant companies are received at the War Office. This, however, is not the case, and I am unable to regard these men as deserving any special treatment in this regard different from that given to other soldiers. The answer to the first part of the question is none, and to the second five. The rest of the question I am unable to answer.