§ 13 . Mr. William Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the figures of His Majesty's Forces returned to this country and awaiting demobilisation.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. J. J. Lawson)The numbers fluctuate from day to day with the arrival of shipping in this country and it would be impossible even to estimate the figure at any given date.
§ Mr. ShepherdAs the number must be considerable, can the Minister consider letting these men go on leave with their wives so that congestion on the trains may be relieved?
§ Mr. LawsonIt depends on what class of men the hon. Gentleman is alluding to. Men in Class A go right to the release centers and arc out within 48 hours; in Class B they go to their units and arc out shortly after 48 hours. The hon. Gentleman may be alluding to Python men. In those cases they would have their six weeks, and after that it may be that it is not necessary for them to go abroad in view of. their early release number.