§ 1. Dr. Kingasked the Secretary of State for War why there is delay in releasing Regular and National Service men, who have completed their term of service from the Canal Zone.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)Air trooping is running up to schedule, and delay should be quite exceptional. I shall be glad to look into any particular case the hon. Member has in mind.
§ Dr. KingMay I thank the Minister for his sympathetic reply? Is he aware that one of my constituents has written stating that in the Canal Zone National Service men are still being kept even to the day when they are due to be demobbed in this country, and that Regular Service men are being kept sometimes three or four months later than their demobilisation date? Will he look into the general question?
§ Mr. HeadYes. If the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars I will certainly look into them. At the moment the complaint is very much a generalisation. My information and my knowledge of the Middle East show that trooping by aircraft is running punctually at the present time.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it not within the knowledge of the right hon. Gentleman 178 that men are being delayed two or three months? Surely that information must be conveyed to him from time to time?
§ Mr. HeadThe right hon. Gentleman is quite right that some time ago, owing to operational necessity, aircraft were diverted, and then there was delay. Now aircraft trooping is running up to schedule, and I know of no delay which is caused by absence of aircraft from air trooping at the present time.