HC Deb 08 April 1941 vol 370 cc1403-4
37. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to pay the travelling expenses of those soldiers who voluntarily came from Overseas to this country to join the Army on the outbreak of war, in like manner to the procedure adopted during the last war; and whether provision will be made to repatriate such soldiers at Government expense on demobilisation?

Mr. Law

I regret that I cannot accept the suggestion in the first part of the Question. As regards the second part, I am unable to say at this stage what arrangements will be made on demobilisation.

Mr. Bellenger

Was not some arrangement made during the last war, such as is specified in the Question to reimbuse those volunteers who came overseas to enlist in the British Forces?

Mr. Law

Some such arrangement was made, but it did not work out satisfactorily in practice, because certain classifications were entitled and certain other classifications were not entitled, and there was some disgruntlement because of this distinction.