HC Deb 16 July 1919 vol 118 cc364-5
60. Major W. MURRAY

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Post Office Civil servants who joined the Colours during the War have, on demobilisation, been docked of a part of their war gratuities on the ground that during their period of service part of the Civil pay formerly payable to these men had been paid to their dependants; and whether the dependants of such men were in receipt of separation or dependant's allowance during the War?

Mr. FORSTER

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. There is no difference between these men and other soldiers in regard to the issue of separation or dependant's allowance.

65. Mr. J. DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that all enlistments from the Post Office consisted of Derby men; whether many of these men were not released because of the importance of their work until after Conscription was in force; and whether his pledge to the Derby men means that every Derby man will be released before any conscripts?

Mr. TOOTILL

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that practically all the members of the Post Office staff attested under the Derby scheme; whether he is aware that many of them could not be released by the Post Office until after the Military Service Acts were in operation; and whether it can be understood that his pledge to release the Derby men is applicable to all attested men no matter on what date they were called up?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Churchill)

I do not recollect giving any pledge regarding Derby men, but on 29th May I stated that I hoped, as soon as conditions permit, to begin to release these men in order according to the month in which they joined up. The majority of Post Office employés who were applied for by the Postmaster-General as pivotal or for special release have been released irrespective of the date on which they joined the Colours for continuous service, and the remainder are being released in accordance with the instructions recently issued providing for the early release of men eligible for demobilisation.

Mr. G. MURRAY

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any intention of sending any of these Derby men to India?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I hope to issue tomorrow morning the Memorandum which I promised a fortnight ago. In that it is laid down that no Derby man, no conscript soldier, shall proceed East of Suez, to a distant theatre, and that no Derby man shall go further than the Rhine.