§ 85. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers of the R.Es. serving in M.E.F. whose release, has been deferred; and whether he is satisfied that deferments in all these cases have been necessary.
§ Mr. LawsonThe latest available information is that on 31st January, 26 R.E. officers had been deferred on operational grounds. This represents 2 per cent, of the total number of R.E. officers in the theatre. I have no doubt that the Commander-in-Chief would not have authorised the deferment of these officers unless it was absolutely necessary.
§ 101. Flight-Lieutenant Beswickasked the Secretary of State for War how many R.A.O.C. officers in Group 26 have had their release deferred, and for how long; and whether officers so deferred are given the opportunity of home leave.
§ Mr. LawsonThirty-seven R.A.O.C. officers in Group 26 have been warned322W that their release may have to be deferred on operational grounds. As Group 26 officers are not yet due for release I cannot say how many it will in fact prove necessary to retain or for how long their release will have to be deferred. An officer is not normally sent on L.I.A.P. unless he will have a reasonable period to serve on return before he is due for release. This period is either four or six months according to the Command. In assessing his eligibility any period of deferment which can be clearly foreseen at the time is taken into account.