§ Mr. T. J. Brooksasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the repatriation of British officers and 13 N.C.Os. employed with West African Forces is at present being held up; and if he will give special consideration in the case of 7629848 C.S.M. Phinn, J.S., who has served close upon six years in the Forces and is in Group 23, and remove this ban in the case of long-service men.
§ Mr. BellengerAs stated by my right hon. Friend on Tuesday, this matter has already been the subject of numerous Questions by hon. Members. I would refer my hon. Friend particularly to the replies given on 13th November to the hon. and gallant Member for Horncastle (Commander Maitland) and on 4th December to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cambridge (Major Symonds). I regret that the need for this special deferment has arisen, but I do not think it would be fair to single out an individual case for specially favourable treatment.