§ 26. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for War what is the total number of Chinese and other coloured labour, together with the number of British labour troops and other details, at present engaged upon salvage work in war areas; what is the weekly cost of this salvage work; and for how much longer is it anticipated that it will be continued?
§ Mr. FORSTERI understand the term salvage in the question as covering all work of handling, custody, and transport of stores other than equipment in the 463 charge of regiments. The number at present employed upon such work in war areas are:
The weekly cost of salvage operations is estimated at £537,000 a week, including cost of transportation to the United Kingdom. The point raised in the last part of the question is under close consideration between the War Office and the Ministry of Munitions, and I can name no definite date at present, but my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that we are perfectly alive to the situation.
British Labour troops and other details 81,000 Chinese and other coloured labour 45,000
§ Major GLYNIs it not the fact that the Ministry of Munitions are getting the credit for the amounts of money obtained from these sales, and that the War Office is getting abused as being an expensive service, and cannot this be readjusted?
§ Mr. FORSTERLooked at from a purely Army point of view, I think that is very desirable: looked at from the point of view of the taxpayer it does not make any difference whether the amount realised by the sale of this material is credited to the Ministry of Munitions or the Army.
§ Major GLYNIs it not the fact that this is delaying the demobilisation of large numbers of men who would be more profitably engaged in production in the country?
§ Mr. FORSTEROf course it is quite clear that the duty of the collection, storage, and transport of this material—which is very valuable—has no doubt prevented the demobilisation of large numbers of men. It is quite obvious also that the work they have done and are doing would have to be done by others if they were sent away.
§ Sir S. SCOTTDoes the salvage sent home include such things as barbed wire or is this sold locally?
§ Mr. FORSTERWe do not deal in barbed wire.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSHas my right hon. Friend any idea how many pounds it costs to sell El worth of this stuff?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo; I am afraid I cannot say, because we are not responsible for what we have collected.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERHow much is expected to be realised in money out of this expenditure of nearly £600,000 a week?
§ Mr. FORSTERPerhaps my hon. Friend will put that question to the Ministry of Munitions. I understand they contemplate realising an enormous sum.