§ Mr. RAMSDENasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to many hardships suffered by the troops across the Channel, such as the great delays in travelling home on leave, the accommodation of the men in cattle-trucks in mid-winter, and the slow demobilisation of men entitled to release; and whether he will appoint a small Commission, on which this House will be represented, to investigate all such complaints on the spot?
§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the fact that soldiers returning to England from Germany are sent home in cattle-trucks under condition s involving much hardship and exposure; and, if so, what steps he is taking to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Mr. JAMES BROWNasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men coming down the lines are frequently detained from five to ten days, and that a number of deaths have resulted from exposure; and whether he proposes to take any steps for the speedier transport of the men down the lines?
Captain GUESTI would refer my hon. Friends to the answer given to the hon. Member for Morpeth last Monday, and to the Report, dated 22nd February, from General Headquarters, France, which was circulated in the Official Report. The demobilisation of men who are eligible for release is proceeding as rapidly as possible. It is already the practice to inquire into cases where complaints are brought to notice, and I do not think the appointment of a Commission, as suggested in the first question, would serve any useful purpose.