§ 25. Mr. GEORGE LAMBERTasked the Secretary of State for War if the l/4th Devon Regiment having served three years in Mesopotamia, and while waiting to embark for home, was detained in India 154 and is now to be sent to the Afghan front; and if he is aware that this regiment after its hardships is not fit to take part in a. new campaign?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAs I have already explained, it was found necessary, owing to the conditions prevailing in India, to detain men from Mesopotamia who were being sent home for demobilisation viâ India, but as soon as demobilisation in. that country recommences these men will be among the first to leave.
§ Mr. LAMBERTHas the right hon. Gentleman taken notice of the last part of the question as to whether these men are now to be sent to the Afghan front?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo one is more anxious than I am that these Mesopotamian men should be brought home to this country at the earliest possible moment, and every instruction to that end has been given. At the same time the authorities in India are facing emergencies of a serious character at the present time.
§ Mr. LAMBERTCan the right hon. Gentleman reply to my question—are those men being sent to the Afghan front?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not know.