§ 113. Brigadier Lowasked the Secretary of State for War whether, as a result of his inquiries into the deferment of officers and other ranks in C.M.F., he has any further statement to make.
§ Mr. LawsonI am glad to be able to say that the latest report from C.M.F., giving the position as at 15th July, 1946, shows that the number of officer deferments in Groups 1–34 (medical officers Groups 43–48) has decreased by 95 to 201, and of other rank deferments by 7 to 45. For Groups 35–37 inclusive, the number of officer deferments now forecast is 9 and the number of other rank deferments 16. It may be that the numbers actually deferred will be less than this.
§ 130. Major N. Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for War why 204 officers and men of R.E.M.E., 56th (London) Division, C.M.F., due for release, Python or L.I.A.P., on or before 1st August, 1946, have been informed that they must wait until after 31st October, 1946; and why the release of all R.E.M.E. personnel from Group 34 onwards has been deferred in this Division, and not even local leave is to be granted during the next three months.
§ Mr. LawsonThe reasons for the present delay in repatriation and in the grant of home leave from C.M.F. were explained on 9th July, in my reply to Questions by my hon. Friends tae Members for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) and South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan). I will make inquiries about the suspension of local leave in the formation mentioned and will write to the hon. and gallant Member.
§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for War how many men in release Group 36 serving with 169 Infantry Brigade Workshops, R.E.M.E., have had 334W their release deferred; and how many men in this release group are serving with this unit.
§ Mr. LawsonGroup 36 is not yet due for release, but some of the men may have been warned of the possibility of their deferment. I have called for a report and will write to the hon. Member. The general situation in C.M.F. was explained by me on 9th July, in reply to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) and South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan).
§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make as to deferments of releases in 3rd Survey Regiment, R.A.
§ Mr. LawsonParticulars of the deferments in this unit were given on 9th July, in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson). The reasons for deferments generally in C.M.F. were explained on the same day, in reply to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) and South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan).