§ 12. Mr. Stracheyasked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made to ensure that British Service personnel will not suffer financial loss as a result of being withdrawn from Cyprus.
§ Mr. SoamesLarge-scale movements of troops out of a country at the end of an emergency always bring their special problems. I have asked the Commander-in-Chief to inform me of the scope and size of the problem in Cyprus.
§ Mr. StracheyI shall be glad to hear that information, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we all feel that British Service personnel ought to receive very special consideration, because this is entirely different from an ordinary posting? It is the result of a dramatic change in the Government's own policy—a change in their mind—which could not have been anticipated by the personnel. I should have thought that there was a strong case for special treatment of these men.
§ Mr. SoamesI cannot accept it when the right hon. Gentleman says that there has been a change of policy. It is the successful fruition of the Government's policy.
§ Mr. BellengerWhat is the purpose behind this inquiry by the Commander-in-Chief? Is it to find out whether circumstances warrant help to troops who may be penalised because of withdrawal from Cyprus?
§ Mr. SoamesLarge-scale withdrawals, such as from Kenya and Korea, in the past have brought their problems and I am anxious to know their scope.