§ 28. Mr. ALLEN PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for War the number of British and Indian troops, respectively, at present operating in Persia, Mesopotamia, Turkey, and other Eastern theatres; and what is the approximate monthly cost involved.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe following are the present strengths of British and Indian troops respectively, and the approximate monthly cost in the areas named: Mesopotamia and North-West Persia, 17,500 British and 83,500 Indian troops, cost £2,500,000; Constantinople, 11,000 British and 8,000 Indian, cost £495,000; Egypt, 12,000 British and 14,000 Indian, cost £625,000; Palestine, 6,500 British and 18,000 Indian, cost £610,000.
§ Mr. PARKINSONIs the number of troops being reduced, and the monthly cost in the near future?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere does not seem to be any chance of any reduction in Mesopotamia for some months to come, as the troops are actively engaged in quenching the rebellion in Mesopotamia and in the disarmament of the tribes which will follow from the suppression of the rebellion, but I hope that in the next financial year the garrisons will be substantially below what they are at present.
§ Mr. LAMBERTDoes the right hon. Gentleman assume that the operations are going on in Mesopotamia for some months to come?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think it is highly probable.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSDoes the right hon. Gentleman really mean to say that it will take three months of time, money and men to quell a rebellion merely in order to hand the country back? Surely we might do it at once.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have heard nothing of the transfer of the country back to the rebels.