§ Mr. RENDALL (by Private Notice)asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the 27th Battalion K.L.R. now or lately stationed at or near Cromer comprises invalided elements from various Liverpool Regiments, including the 6th Batt. K.L.R. (Terr.), the ranks of which have always been recruited largely from banking and mercantile houses; whether it is intended to transfer men from this composite battalion into the Army Service Corps for labouring or other manual work abroad; if so, is he aware that amongst the men who would be affected are mercantile and other clerks, some of whom volunteered as far back as 1914 and have served abroad, and does he consider it suitable that volunteers of such a type should be used for such a purpose in preference to men who have been conscripted at a later date and who are trained to manual labour?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONEvery effort is made to ensure that men are utilised according to their capabilities, having due regard to their physical fitness and the requirements of the various arms of the Service. In the case quoted by my hon. Friend instructions have been issued for all clerks not required in Infantry to be transferred to units where they are required for clerical work.
Sir F. HALLWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of sending overseas, as men required for the Army of occupation, conscientious objectors and others who up to the present have had no opportunity of serving abroad?
§ Mr. RENDALLWill the right hon. Gentleman give special consideration to the case of those men who belong to these regiments and others who joined the Army from abroad or from the Colonies, and will he try to see that these men are not now sent to France or elsewhere to make up Labour battalions?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONCertainly; I will look into the whole matter. I did not know 3433 that any Colonial troops were being sent into these particular battalions, but, if they are, and are fit for clerical work, I shall certainly have the case specially considered.