§ 29. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the recent French advance a large proportion of General Mangin's victorious army was composed of native Africans recruited from Senegal, Morocco, and Algeria; whether a great French coloured army is now being created; whether he is aware that Great Britain has reservoirs of coloured subjects anxious to take their places in the fighting line; and whether, in view of the success which France has achieved with coloured soldiers, he will recommend to the War Office that we should follow the French example of employing coloured fighting men in the firing line and thereby relieve in a large measure the shortage of skilled and other white labour in this country, and avoid the necessity oil calling up elderly men from business and trade occupations who in many instances are producers and taxpayers and substantial contributors to the Revenue?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy hon. Friend is under a slight misapprehension when he says that a large proportion of General Mangin's victorious army is composed of native Africans. As regards the latter part of the question, every endeavour has been, and is being, made to utilise coloured men for service. I am informed 230 that the number employed by the British Government is far greater than that employed by the French, and it is hoped that this number may be still further increased.
§ Mr. HOUSTONCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that these coloured soldiers of ours are employed in the front fighting line and not merely in Labour Battalions behind the line?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThey are employed in both capacities.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODBut is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that no effort whatever has been made to recruit blacks in the Soudan?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not know so much about the Soudan, but the figures of recruiting in other Protectorates are very remarkable.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it not well known that Soudanese are the best fighting men?