Mr. ALFRED DAVIES (Clithero)asked the Secretary of State for War whether the twenty battalions now on their way to India will be utilised to secure the prior release of the men en route for England from Mesopotamia and now compulsorily detained in India; whether he will give instructions that a definite date be fixed for the demobilisation of these men, as has been done in the case of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the latter part of the question, I regret that it is not possible to fix a date, as their release is dependent upon relief by after-war Army units. I may say that over 2,000 of these men have already sailed for the United Kingdom.
Mr. A. DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that discontent still exists amongst the troops in India in an acute form on the question of demobilisation; whether there were no volunteers at Deolali or Poona; and whether he will take adequate steps to expedite the early release of all non-volunteers from India?
1938W
§ Mr. FORSTERThe first two parts of this question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India. With regard to the last part, no differentiation is made between volunteers and non-volunteers.