§ 41. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for War why all Royal Signals officers of Groups 27–32 serving in M.E.F. have had their release deferred.
§ Mr. BellengerNot all Royal Signals officers of Groups 27–32 serving in M.E.F. have had their release deferred although it will be necessary to defer a high percentage oWing to the necessity of ensuring a reasonable standard of operational and administrative efficiency in that important theatre. There is a world wide shortage of Royal Signals officers due to the rate of release. A high degree of technical skill is required of such officers and it is therefore not possible immediately to alleviate the position by transfer of officers from other corps.
§ 42. Captain Chetwyndasked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers serving in Greece and due for release in Group 31 have had their release deferred for a further period of three months.
§ Mr. BellengerOn 4th May there were 12 other ranks in Group 31 serving in M.E.F. who had been warned that their release might have to be compulsorily deferred on operational grounds. I cannot say how many of these men were serving in Greece, but steps are being taken to ensure that Greece does not bear an unfair share of any deferments which may be necessary.
§ Mr. TiffanyMight I ask what are the grounds which have caused this transformation?
§ Mr. BellengerI cannot say offhand in the case of these 12 other ranks, but they must be very important because it is only the Commander-in-Chief, or a senior officer to whom he delegates his power, who could order this deferment.