§ 46. Captain Charles Smithasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of public feeling that the present scheme of demobilisation allows small compensa 23 tion for overseas, as distinct from home, service; and whether he will direct the Service Departments to repatriate by an early date all men, irrespective of service or area in which serving, who have now performed more than three years' duty overseas.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. The reasons for the provisions in the release scheme relating to overseas service were fully explained when the scheme was introduced and are still valid. It is the intention of the Service Departments to reduce the length of overseas service as soon as possible.
§ Captain SmithIn the event of an easing of the transport situation making recasting of the demobilisation programme possible, would the Prime Minister consider using part of the additional transport in order to reduce the tour of service overseas for all Service? to not more than three years?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have said we are endeavouring to reduce it as soon as we can, taking all considerations into account.