§ 27. Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Secretary of State for War how many men who attested under the Derby scheme are still being retained with the Colours; and whether he will make every effort to secure the early release of these men, especially in those cases where they have been in. the East for three or four years?
§ Mr. FORSTERI regret that the figures to enable me to answer the first part of the question are not available, as these men are not shown separately in any returns rendered to the War Office. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to Army Order 365 of 1919, which provides that all warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men who attested under the Derby scheme shall be dispatched from their present stations not later than the 1st February, 1920, subject to the necessary transport being available.