§ 39. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give a promise that the Territorials who volunteered and were sent to India in 1914 shall be the first, when climatic conditions permit, to come home; and whether such officers and men can receive some recognition of their long service in India?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer my right hon. Friend to the statement regarding Territorials in India which I made on the 25th February last. The Regulations at present in force provide 1886 for a proportion of men of long service overseas being included in each draft sent home for demobilisation. This, of course, is only applicable to those who are eligible for demobilisation, but comprise men who joined the Colours in 1914 and 1915. I regret no special recognition can be given to men who served in India, since vast numbers of men have also served for periods quite as long in other theatres where conditions were far more strenuous.
§ Mr. LAMBERTCan we have a pledge that men who were sent to India in 1914 shall be the first to come home?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir. The first to come home are those who are not physically fit to remain through the hot weather. The 20,000 we are bringing home before the hot weather in the Suez and the Red Sea will practically exhaust the possibilities of transportation by that date, but after that the release of the men will take place having regard to the length of time they have been out of the country and their age.
§ Mr. BILLINGMay we have a pledge that special consideration shall now be given to the men who in 1914–15 volunteered, especially those over forty years of age?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThey are all due form release, except those cut off by the climate.