§ 26. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of 1914 and 1915 men, some of whom have reached the age of fifty-five, are still detained in France on ammunition lorries; and whether, in view of the fact that the Government have seen fit to release from prison those men who style themselves conscientious objectors, he will take the necessary means to see that these men who entered the Service in 1914 and 1915 are demobilised?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt is no doubt the case that some men who are eligible for demobilisation have not yet been released, but the number demobilised since the Armistice is now approximately two and a half millions. This has entailed a vast amount of work and organisation and I do not think there should be any cause for complaint. Every effort is being made to release the remainder of those who are demobilisable at the earliest possible moment. I should think it extremely unlikely that men in the fifties are being retained, although there might be a small number of exceptional cases. If any specific cases are brought to notice steps will be taken to expedite their release.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECan the right hon. Gentleman say how the 2701 Government reconcile the discrimination between these two classes—the conscientious objectors and the others?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKENot necessarily.