24. Lieut.-Colonel WALTER GUINNESSasked the Secretary for War whether the demobilisation of men now serving in Egypt who joined the Army in 1914 and 1915 is being considerably delayed by the decision to grant leave each month to about 5,000 men who joined only in 1916; and whether, in. view of the dissatisfaction thus caused to the men who went through the early stages of the War without any opportunity for leave, he will consider the advisability of limiting the allotment of leave for the 1916 men to cases of urgent compassionate grounds, transferring the passages thus saved to the 1914 and 1915 men eligible for demobilisation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInstructions have been given to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, to divide available shipping accom- 1802 modation between demobilisable men and retainable men who are eligible for leave, and the proportion must be left to his discretion. It is considered that unless a certain amount of leave is granted to soldiers who are retained in accordance with the procedure laid down in Army Order 55 of 1919, their situation will shortly, by virtue of length of service approximate to that of the 1914–15 men, as they may in many cases have to wait till the Regular unit of the after-war Army arrive during this trooping season.
§ 28. Mr. LYLEasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that in certain countries the process of demobilisation is necessarily suspended for the moment and demobilised men on their way home are asked to remain for the time being, he is taking adequate steps to explain to all ranks concerned the reasons for this inevitable postponement of their return home; and whether, in particular, he will pay attention to Egypt and India, where men have been from three to five years without leave?
§ 34. Mr. SITCHasked the Secretary of State for War whether discontent exists among the troops in India on the question of demobilisation; whether, although no volunteers were found at Deolali, the authorities at Simla issued a statement that 4,807 men had volunteered; and whether he will take early steps to allay the unrest?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am informed that during the month of April reports from India indicated a certain discontent owing to retarded demobilisation, and in consequence it was arranged to continue demobilisation through the hot weather. It was, however, temporarily suspended later, owing to trouble on the North-West Frontier. I am informed that the Commander-in-Chief in India reports that soldiers awaiting embarkation for the United Kingdom at Karachi and Deolali depots were invited by him to volunteer to remain in India, in view of the situation in that country, and that all at Deolali, including details from Mesopotamia, have unconditionally volunteered. He had, however, not received reports from Karachi. He adds that as soon as the situation admits, men will be released and dispatched homewards as shipping becomes available. From this report it is evident that the situation must have been explained or the men would not have volunteered to remain. With regard to 1803 Egypt, I am informed that 1914 and 1915 men are being dispatched approximately as follows:
| 1914 men | … | 14,000 in May, and 12,000 in June. |
| 1915 men | … | 12,000 in June, and 18,000 in July. |
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes that apply to Mesopotamia men as well, when the right hon. Gentleman says India?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo. India is India, and the rest of my answer dealt with Egypt.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI cannot be quite sure, but the numbers are very large. Twenty-six thousand men are coming from Egypt alone in May and June—these are 1914 men—and there are 30,000 of the 1915 men coming in June and July. The House will see what a tremendous business this is to be.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am sure that that is the intention. There may be special reasons in certain cases to prevent it.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere are certain elaborate rules for guidance as to the order of priority of release in any class. One is the length of time of service; the next is the prospect of employment here; but as a very large number is being relieved, obviously no great difficulty can arise on that.