HC Deb 13 August 1919 vol 119 c1316W
Mr. F. ROBERTS

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 700 men in the Signal Depot at Poona have been retained for service in the garrison in India although they had completed three years' service abroad; and whether, in view of the demand that these men who enlisted before the Conscription Acts were introduced, he will take the earliest steps to secure the release of all men who have seen considerable service with the Colours and have special regard to the cases of all men who attested under the Derby scheme, even though they did not enlist for immediate service prior to July, 1916?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Memorandum recently published, which states that all 1914-1915 men and Derby men who joined the Colours prior to 1st July, 1916, who are in India will have started for home by the 1st December, if not released earlier, provided that no unexpected trouble occurs in that country. With regard to the last part of the question, I regret that I can make no statement at present regarding the demobilisation of Derby men who did not join the Colours for immediate service prior to 1st July,1916.