§ 10. Mr. THURTLEasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Class A reservists at present with the Shanghai Defence Force have been asked if they would have any objections to serve longer overseas than the period of 12 months they are under an obligation to serve; and, if so, will he state why this question has been put to them?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)Inquiries have been made by the local military authorities whether any Section A reservists now in China would volunteer to remain in Army service there, should occasion arise. The object of these inquiries is to ascertain what reliefs will be required to take the place of the Section A reservists. The contract with the reservists will be carried out strictly, and no reservist will be retained in the service beyond the 12 months unless he has volunteered to so remain.
§ Mr. THURTLEWhen does the right hon. Gentleman hope to bring these Class A reservists home from Shanghai?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIn time to give them their discharge within 12 months.
11. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Secretary of State for War what is the total number of troops of all ranks now in China; what is the approximate daily cost of maintaining this force; and how many casualties there have been from wounds, sickness, or other causes up to the present time?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAs regards the first part of the question, in addition to the normal establishment of three infantry battalions, there are at present stationed in China and Hong Kong 17 infantry battalions and one marine battalion, with ancillary troops. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on 2nd May to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme. As regards the last part, one soldier has been killed, two officers and nine other ranks have been wounded, and nine other ranks have died as the result of illness or accidents. The average weekly number in hospital during the four weeks ended 17th June was 22 officers and 895 other ranks.
Sir F. HALLIn reference to the reply of 2nd May, in which the right hon. Gentleman indicated that it was impossible to give the approximate cost, does that still hold good? Cannot he give some idea now of the cost of the troops out there?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI gave a figure of about £250,000 a month, 185 and that is as near as I can give it at the moment. That is in addition to the transport charges.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs not this figure of 900 officers and men in hospital abnormally high?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo, unfortunately it is not. The medical authorities are quite satisfied with the figure, saying it is quite good.
§ 58. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air where the air units and machines and pilots that have been sent to China were drawn from; and whether steps are being taken, or have been taken, to replace them?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)As regards the first part of the question the Fleet Air Arm units were drawn from home waters and from the Mediterranean; No. 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force, from Manston; and additional Army co-operation observers from Farnborough. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn view of the long stay of the expeditionary force in China will not steps be taken to replace these units?
§ Sir S. HOAREIt depends on the time which they are required to stay there. Obviously, that is a question which must be taken into account.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn the meantime, for example, are the Fleet to be deprived of specially trained pilots for Fleet purposes?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHow are you going to replace them?
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a reply given by the Secretary of State for War indicates that the Shanghai Force is likely to be kept there for at least 12 months?