§ 6. Sir ARTHUR FELLasked the Secretary of State for War why the Labour Battalions in this country are 718 kept in existence; if the gardeners and others forming them have their places waiting for them; if their wives and families receive separation allowances whilst their absent husbands do jobbing work in the neighbourhood of the camps; and if he will say why the men are kept with the Colours under these conditions?
Captain GUESTMen in labour units, including agricultural companies in this country, are being demobilised in accordance with the recent Army Orders, providing for the armies of occupation, and and are not being retained longer than necessary. The wives of men in labour units receive separation allowances under the rules and conditions in force.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs not the Labour Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment being retained because it is composed of the sons of enemy aliens?
§ Major E. WOODIs it proposed to reinforce agricultural companies to make up for the demobilisation of soldiers employed in agriculture?