HC Deb 15 April 1919 vol 114 cc2695-7
7. Mr. CLOUGH

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any further need for the retention of men over forty years of age in hot climates like that of Mesopotamia; and whether he will take steps to ensure that soldiers who have passed this age shall be at once sent home for demobilisation?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I would refer to the statement I made in the House on the 25th of February last, in which I dealt fully with the question of troops in the East. Every effort has been made to bring home as many men as are demobilisable before the hot weather sets in, subject to the requirements of the minimum garrisons. Reliefs for troops in the East are being collected as rapidly as possible, but, as I explained in my statement on the 25th February, some time must necessarily elapse, as the personnel to form the drafts is mainly composed of those who re-enlist under conditions which entitle them to two or three months' furlough before proceeding abroad. The danger to health which would result in moving troops in the tropics during the hot weather and the question of shipping accommodation are further considerations which have to be borne in mind.

Mr. RENDALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of men have been brought down in order to go home and then sent back, great discontent being caused by this?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think it quite possible there will be hitches and reversals of policy from time to time, owing to the shortage of shipping and the changing conditions under which we are facing these problems.

Mr. RENDALL

Will he say whether there has been a reversal of policy in the last three or four weeks with regard to two or three regiments there?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I do not know of any.

Mr. PEMBERTON BILLING

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he gave an undertaking, in answer to a question in this House, that men over forty-two should be released, and do the War Office now propose to retain them?

Mr. CHURCHILL

All the undertakings which I have given are in the minds of the House. I have explained that we cannot release men until they can be replaced, and we cannot release them until they can be brought home through the provision of shipping.

Major MORRISON-BELL

In view of the great number of letters that we have received on this subject, can the right hon. Gentleman have some short statement printed dealing with it?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes; I will. I should like to point out to my hon. Friend that the events of the last few weeks have made it necessary, for the time being, to suspend demobilisation in Egypt and India.