§ 30. Mr. HURDasked the Secretary of State for War whether of the draft of 250 men of the ¼th Somerset Regiment, now returning from Mesopotamia, only thirty Territorials of 1914 are included; whether this order of demobilisation is in accordance with the promise made by Major-General Donald in the name of the late Lord Kitchener, then Secretary of State for War, when these Somersets went to the East in October, 1914, that they should be brought home so that they might resume their employment or get fresh employment before the great rush took place from the Colours when the War was over; and what further steps he proposes to take to carry out this promise?
Captain GUESTDemobilisation is being carried out strictly in accordance with the regulations in force and in view of the changes that take place in the personnel of a battalion owing to wounds, sickness and other causes during four and a half years of war and long service in two tropical countries, I do not think the proportion of 1914 men inconsiderable. With regard to the promise made by Major-General Donald I would refer to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on the 25th February relative to the return of troops from the East.
§ Mr. HURDIs it not a fact that the promise was given by Lord Kitchener and not by Major-General Donald, and that there are 200 of these 1914–15 men still in Mesopotamia in spite of that promise?
Captain GUESTPerhaps my hon. Friend has not had time to read the Secretary of State's full statement on this subject, pointing out that Lord Kitchener could not have foreseen the length of the War or the difficulties of demobilisation.
§ Colonel MILDMAYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that men serving in France from Somerset also say that the promise applies to them?