§ 22. Colonel YATEasked whether, considering the shortness of labour for agriculture and other purposes, His Majesty's Government will consider the question of applying the Military Service Act to Malta, Gibraltar, and Cyprus, and enrolling all available men in these places in Labour Corps for service in France, so as to relieve the British Labour Corps now employed there for work at home?
§ Mr. LONGThe circumstances of these Dependencies are of a very special nature, and a portion of their male population is already being employed on services con- 604 nected with the War. I have been very anxiously considering this question, and am consulting the local authorities with regard to my hon. Friend's suggestion.