§ 11. Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men are at the present moment being drafted to Salonika who are over forty years, are married and have families, and were owners of one-man businesses; and will be say what is the object of this, in view of the fact that the climate is not so suitable for such men as for younger men?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)If men of the age mentioned have recently been sent to 3398 Salonika, it has been because they are suitable for special duties for which men are still required, e.g., motor transport drivers, artificers, skilled tradesmen, etc., and for which it is unnecessary to use the young men. I would remind my hon. Friend that no soldiers are sent overseas unless, in the opinion of the medical authorities, they are physically fit for the duties they will be called upon to perform.