§ 11. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will ensure that 438 those officers of the Regular or Territorial Army Reserve of Officers who have been compulsorily transferred from their prewar regiments to the Pioneer Corps as a result of having been posted for duty with that corps are automatically re-transferred to their original regiments, on either being posted for permanent duty with another corps or unit, receiving a staff appointment unconnected with the administration of Pioneer troops or ceasing to be employed with the said corps?
§ Captain MargessonAny application for re-transfer in such cases will be considered on its merits. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that, while there would normally be no objection to the re-transfer of an officer posted for permanent duty with another arm or corps, the holding of a staff appointment could not in itself be regarded as constituting a final severance of all connection with the Pioneer Corps.
§ Mr. StokesWill my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind the importance which people attach to returning to their own units and to being included on the statements of their own units, as it adds to the morale of the unit?
§ Captain MargessonYes, I am quite aware of that, but at the same time I do not think it applies exclusively to the Pioneer Corps.