§ 80. Mr. ALFRED SHORTasked the Secretary of State for War whether the steamer "Ascard" arrived recently at Wilhelmshafen from Constantinople with 104 German officers, 1,918 German soldiers, and 42 officials; whether the demobilisation of British troops in the Far East is being delayed in consequence; and, if so, will he see that the limited shipping facilities are reserved for British and Allied forces?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINSTRY of SHIPPING (Colonel Leslie Wilson)The arrangements for the conveyance of these German subjects from the Black Sea area were made on grounds of urgent military necessity by the Allied High Commissioners at Constantinople. 2035 They involved no interference whatever with the demobilisation of British troops in the Far East.
§ Mr. SHORTWhy is it necessary to give a preference to German soldiers over the British Tommy and the British officer?
§ Colonel WILSONI have already said said the movement of these ships involved no interference with the demobilisation of troops and it is necessary in view of the representations made by the Military Commissioners at Constantinople to bring these particular troops back to Germany.