§ 26. Captain REGINALD TERRELLasked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken for the demobilisation of men forming part of the Army outside the European field of operations; whether orders have been issued that the men of the Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Royal Army Service Corps, and Railway Operating Division, Royal Engineers, are not to be demobilised; whether men over fifty years of age are still kept in hot climates, such as Egypt; and whether he is aware of the great and growing dissatisfaction among all the units?
Captain GUESTTroops in distant theatres of war in which demobilisation is proceeding have equal chances of de- 1061 mobilisation with troops in other theatres, subject to the limitations imposed by shipping and the length of the journey home. Those eligible for demobilisation are being brought home as fast as transportation facilities permit. Men of the corps referred to who are eligible for demobilisation under the Regulations at present in force are being demobilised as the exigencies of the Service permit, and subject to the liability to retention for the military machinery of demobilisation until they can be relieved or their services dispensed with.
§ General Sir IVOR PHILIPPSWould the hon. Gentleman consider with the Navy as to whether it would be possible to allocate some fast cruisers, in order to bring over these troops, who feel keenly being left out there so many years?