§ 84. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the hardships inflicted on a number of men serving with the Salonika Forces, who have been away from home for over three years without any leave, he will guarantee that such men will be immediately discharged?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLSuch men as are eligible for demobilisation are being demobilised as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service and transport facilities permit.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is immense dissatisfaction owing to the impossibility of getting men away from Salonika?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am only aware that everything is being done, in accordance with the scheme which was announced to Parliament, to bring men home and release them.
§ Major M'MICKINGWill the men who are eligible for release, and who have been sent from Salonika to Batum, en route for Baku, be allowed to return home?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have given a very full explanation to the House of the policy we are pursuing. We are pursuing it honestly in all directions. We are only keeping certain classes of men, and we are giving them leave—such leave as there is—and we are bringing all the others home for demobilisation at the earliest possible moment.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir F. HALLOught not men who have not done any service overseas to be sent to Russia to take the places of these men, so that these men can return home?
§ Major M'MICKINGIs the right lion. Gentleman aware that some of these men are over forty years of age?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThey are eligible for demobilisation if they are over forty, and they will be brought home if it is possible.