Colonel LAMBERT WARDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the number of British troops at present employed in France and Belgium, the number to include Labour Corps, both Chinese and Native?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe approximate number of British troops in France and Bel- 699W gium on 27th October was 179,538. This includes patients in hospital, Labour Corps, Indian troops, and Chinese.
Lieut.-Colonel SPENDER CLAYasked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and other ranks are at present retained with the British Armies in France and Belgium; how many of these are employed by the Graves Commission; whether he can give an approximate date for the withdrawal of all British troops from France and Belgium; how many officers and other ranks of Queen Mary's Women's Army Auxiliary Corps are at present employed with the British Army in France and Belgium; and what is the approximate date on which it is hoped it will be found possible to dispense with their services?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe approximate total number of British officers and other ranks in France and Belgium on the 27th October was 101,300, and in addition there were about 5,600 patients in hospital. The number employed on all duties by the -Graves Commission was 14,983'; these are included in the above figure. It is hoped that all the troops will be withdrawn from France and Belgium by the end of March next. The total strength of the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps was 4,593, and it is expected that they will all have left by the end of December.