§ Earl WINTERTONasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that certain men in the Royal Engineers field companies, who joined in 1914, are being employed on hut construction at Haifa and elsewhere in the Near East; and why these men are not demobilised and the work done by Egyptian Labour Corps natives?
§ Mr. G. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that very many men employed in the Royal Engineers, postal service, and the Royal Engineers, signals, in Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Salonika have been working at a very trying occupation of a civilian character, under all the disadvantages of the military system, for very long hours during seven days of every week, for a period varying from three to four years; whether he is aware that, despite the trying conditions, both as regards the climate and sanitation, these men have had no home leave during the whole of that period; and whether, having regard to the conditions under which their work has 1405W been performed, he will consider the possibility of granting a period of additional leave when these men are demobilised?
Captain GUESTIt is not clear why men of the Corps referred to by my hon. Friend should be treated preferentially to men in other branches of the Service who have also served a long time in the East; the question of demobilisation furlough was carefully considered before deciding that the period should be twenty-eight days, and I regret it cannot be reconsidered.