HC Deb 14 February 1917 vol 90 c607
28. Mr. HOGGE

asked how many officers and men have not yet seen any active overseas service?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 30th November last to the hon. and gallant Member for Winchester. Every effort is made to send to the front all officers and men who are physically fit. I regret that there are no figures available.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the hon. Gentleman say why so many men who are physically fit are given so much service at the front, and so many who are physically fit are given so much leisure in this country?

Mr. MACPHERSON

We are always trying to exchange the men who have been at the front with those at home.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the hon. Gentleman say how they are getting on with that practice? How many men are they exchanging each week?

Mr. PRINGLE

Cannot the hon. Gentleman make some arrangement for revising the staffs of the Home Command, which are only used for training purposes, and are far too large?

Mr. MACPHERSON

So far as I understand, every single individual in the training staff at home is necessary for training.