§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether forty-four men out of 1,789 in the Royal Engineers, postal section, have been demobilised between 9th November, 1918, and 8th March, 1919; whether the Director of Army Postal Services is seeking to override the promise of the Secretary of State for War that all 1914 men shall be released by the end of June and all 1915 men by the end of July; and whether he will take immediate steps to see that his pledge is applied to all units?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe approximate total strength in all theatres of war of the Royal Engineers postal section on the 9th November, 1918, was 4,000, including 1,200 with the home depot. Of the latter, 452 were demobilised by the end of March. Figures giving the rates of demobilisation in other theatres of war are not available.358W The proposal to release 1914 and 1915 men, which it is hoped to bring into effect when Peace is signed, will apply to, and will be carried out by all units, except those in India and North Russia. As regards men in India and North Russia I can make no definite promise at present.