HC Deb 12 March 1919 vol 113 cc1270-1
35. Captain LOSEBY

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to statements which have been circulated that soldiers coming home from Germany have been compelled to travel in cattle trucks; are these so-called trucks open or closed; are they similar to those ordinarily used by the French Government for the transport of troops; and are the same so-called trucks made use of in emergency for the transport of both officers and men?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the report from General Headquarters, France, which was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT on the 24th February, in reply, to a question asked by the hon. Member for Morpeth. Closed goods wagons, with solid sides and shutters for ventilation, are used, and those made use of for demobilisation purposes are provided with stoves for heating. This, type of vehicle has been used almost invariably by both French and British Armies for the transport of troops in France during the present War. The same type of wagon is not uncommonly used for the transport of officers as well as other ranks.