29. Colonel BURNasked the Secretary of State for War if some of the British regiments composing the Army of the Rhine are so short of men that German civilians are attached to the companies to perform the duties of batmen, clerks, etc?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have called for a report on this question, and will write to the hon. and gallant Member in due course.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman in his inquiry find out also about telephone operators?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI will make that inquiry, but it certainly would not astonish me if some assistance has been derived from the local population. I confess what astonishes me is that we are able to carry on at all under the conditions.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIs it not rather unwise to use the civilian population in an area we occupy to work the telephone between high military officers?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have not said such a thing had taken place. I am quite satisfied that the best arrangements possible are being made, although I am not certain what those arrangements are until I inquire.
Mr. PALMERWould the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of using the services of ex-soldiers who are in an impoverished condition in England to-day?