§ 26. Mr. CAIRNSasked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that troops from Mesopotamia, en route for England, are still being compulsorily detained in India; whether this is in accord with the assurances previously given in the House; and, if not, whether he will take steps to ensure their adequate and prompt fulfilment?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir; the troops referred to are only conveyed to Bombay or Karachi for transhipment and are not being detained in India.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these men have been transferred North to some of the fighting forces and have been there for many months?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLStrict orders have been given that men temporarily delayed on account of an emergency in India when on their way home from Mesopotamia are to have absolute priority over all other shipments of men from the East to England.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs he aware that many of these men are already detained there, and for no purpose?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOrders have been given that they are to come home.
§ Mr. IRVINGWill the right hon. Gentleman see that his orders are carried out?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have every reason to believe that the orders are carried out.
§ Mr. WATERSONNo.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am awaiting information of the circumstances in which they have not been carried out.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have sent him several lists with reference to individual soldiers, which he has not challenged?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt is quite true that there may be individual cases, but that would not in the least prove that the general order was not being carried out.
§ Mr. WATERSONWill the right hon. Gentleman send a cable to see that these men are promptly sent home, and that they have priority?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes. I believe that is the case.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are men in Mesopotamia in the Royal Army Medical Corps who have been there since the beginning of the War, and have not been released? His right hon. Friend (Mr. Forster) can tell him so.