§ Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for War whether members of His Majesty's Forces serving in India and the South-east Asia Command who have been abroad for six years or longer are being transferred to the Home Establishment; and, if so, at what date it is anticipated that it will be possible to reduce the qualifying period of service in this area to five years?
§ Sir J. GriggThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." In a reply I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chester (Major Nield) on 23rd November I said that men who had been overseas for five years would begin to be brought home at the end of this year. I am afraid, however, that in the case of India the transition from the six to the five years' qualification will be some months later than in the nearer theatres.