HC Deb 25 March 1919 vol 114 cc199-200
37. Sir A. FELL

asked if a statement can be made explaining the nature of the withdrawal of the Army from France; and if the map in the Tea Room can be marked to show the evacuation of the different towns and their restoration to the French authorities?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The general nature of the withdrawal of the Army from France and Belgium consists in the elimination of all men who are eligible for demobilisation, the formations and units not required for the forces to be maintained temporarily in France, Belgium and Germany being brought home by cadres in some cases and in others being dispersed altogether. The first cadres to be sent to England will be those of Regular units which will be reconstituted to form the after-war Army. With regard to the latter part of the question, the different towns and villages in France occupied by the British Armies have always retained their civil authorities, who continue to exercise their usual functions. No useful purpose, therefore, would be served by marking each town or village as it ceased to be used for billeting British troops.

Sir A. FELL

Is there a withdrawal from the interior towns towards the coast of the English Army in France?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Much more than three-quarters—I might almost say four-fifths—of the British Army in France have already come home. Therefore there has been a tremendous restriction of the area which they are occupying. I could not say that there might not be individual cases of British troops in a very much wider area.