§ 31. Mr. John Dugdaleasked the Secretary of State for War how many aliens have been transferred from the alien Pioneer Corps to British units since the announcement that all arms of the service were to be opened to them?
§ Sir J. GriggSince the announcement I made on 2nd March 310 aliens have been transferred from the Pioneer Corps to more combatant arms. In addition 270 aliens have been transferred since that date to technical corps under the arrangements in force prior to the announcement.
§ Mr. DugdaleIs it not a fact that very favourable reports have been received on these men from their new commanding officers, and, if this is so, will my right hon. Friend expedite transfers as far as possible, as they give the men the greatest satisfaction?
§ Sir J. GriggA certain sense of proportion must be observed in this matter. There are a large number of British personnel in the Pioneer Corps who wish to be transferred to more active service, and the proportion of these transferred is much smaller than that of aliens. I cannot carry matters much further.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonHow many remain untransferred?
§ Sir J. GriggA very few thousand.
§ Major PetherickHow many aliens of enemy origin have been transferred?
§ Sir J. GriggMy answer does not discriminate between enemy and other aliens, but I believe it must be predominantly enemy because the arrangements for friendly aliens are somewhat different.