§ 16. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for War how many officers of the Special Reserve, Territorial Force, and holders of temporary commissions, belonging to the Machine Gun Corps are 1107 now employed in India, Egypt, and Mesopotamia; whether a considerable number of these officers are being retained in the Service in spite of their urgent desire to return to their civil work and professions; whether there are a sufficient number of fully trained and suitable Regular officers qualified for work with the Machine Gun Corps who could relieve all non-Regular officers; and whether the establishment of Regular Machine Gun Corps battalions asked for by the military authorities in India has been adhered to, so that the demobilisation of Machine Gun Corps personnel now in India can be proceeded with?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe answer to this question is too lengthy to read out in the House, and I will therefore, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
The following is the Answer referred to:
§ The following Special Reserve Territorial Force and temporary officers are serving in the Machine Gun Corps, Infantry, Cavalry, and Motor branches:—
| — | Special Reserve. | Territorial Force. | Temporary. | Total. |
| India | 12 | 59 | 90 | 161 |
| Egypt | 13 | 34 | 76 | 123 |
| Mesopotamia | — | 7 | 47 | 54 |
| Total | 25 | 100 | 213 | 338 |
§ These figures are necessarily only approximate as officers are continually being sent home for demobilisation as units are reduced. None but Regular officers have been sent to these theatres lately. A considerable number of these officers are anxious to return at once to civil life, and are retained against their will. They are, however, being relieved at the earliest possible moment as and when units can be reduced or Regular officers can be provided for relief.
§ There are not a sufficient number of fully trained and suitable Regular officers qualified for work with the Machine Gun Corps as at present established, but reductions will be made in the number of Machine Gun Units in the various theatres, and this will necessarily have the effect of releasing demobilisable personnel.
1108§ Five Machine Gun Battalions have already been sent or are under orders to proceed to India, and this should meet the requirements of that country in this respect.