§ 18. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, as stated in this House, the numbers of the Salonika Expedition are about 500,000; and, if this number is widely divergent from fact, whether it represents more or less than the actual figure?
§ Colonel ARCHER-SHEEIs it not a fact that information of this character, if given, could only be of use to the enemy?
§ Mr. PRINGLEBefore reply is given—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think we had better hear the reply.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo authoritative statement as to strength of our forces at Salonika has been made in the House, and it is obviously undesirable that such a statement should be made.
§ Mr. TENNANTWould it be possible for my hon. Friend to give the House a statement without, of course, endangering the public interest, as to whether there has been an accretion of that force or not in recent months?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, I am afraid I cannot volunteer any further statement.
§ Mr. KINGIs my hon. Friend aware that the statement as quoted in this House was made by a gentleman in the Press who has been specially exempted from military service by the War Office?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise.