§ Mr. R YOUNGasked the Secretary of State for War how many men re-enlisted 1264W for one year under the War Office scheme of enlistment for one, two, or four years' service; whether any of these men could voluntarily terminate their agreement before the end of the first year's engagement was reached; whether some of the men who re-enlisted for a year have been demobilised before others who have been serving for several years; if so, what were the terms of their engagement and why it is that men who re-enlisted for one year and whose time does not expire until February, 1920, are demobilised against their wishes and refused pay and allowances for the unexpired time due to them under the terms of their re-enlistment; and whether such payments will now be made in fulfilment of the obligations of the State?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe number of soldiers who re-enlisted for one year under the scheme mentioned was 13,986. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the remainder of the question a small number of men who re-enlisted during the past year for special service as warrant officers and non-commissioned officers with the Chinese Labour Corps and a few others similarly situated have been discharged. These men re-enlisted to serve for the period of one year provided their services were no longer required. Owing to the demobilisation of the corps with which they were serving being more rapid than was expected and to the fact that, in view of their rank, etc., they could not be employed to replace men retained in other corps, their services were dispensed with in accordance with the terms of their attestations.