§ 124. Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the decision to bring the Polish Second Corps to the United Kingdom and to look after the men pending resettlement, he will now reconsider the decision to demobilise abroad aliens enlisted abroad into the British Army.
§ Mr. LawsonAlthough it remains the general policy that troops enlisted abroad should be demobilised either in their own countries or where they enlisted, the question of the release of aliens who were enlisted into the British Army in North Africa and elsewhere outside the United Kingdom on British service engagements has been carefully reconsidered, in accordance with the undertaking given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 20th May. It has been decided that the only practicable course, in view of their peculiar difficulties, will be to allow these particular men to be released in the United Kingdom if they wish and instructions to this effect are being issued.
§ 129. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for War whether aliens serving in the British Army who are demobilised abroad are given gratuities, leave pay and civilian clothing.
§ Mr. LawsonYes, Sir, subject to the same qualifying conditions as are applicable to British soldiers.
§ Captain F. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for War how many aliens are still serving in His Majesty's Forces; and how many have been demobilised since VJ-Day, in the United Kingdom and abroad, respectively.
§ Mr. LawsonOn 31st March, 1946, 5,208 men and 427 women of alien nationality were serving in the Army. These figures are 5,345 and 446 respectively below the corresponding figures for December, 1944, which represents the wastage from all causes during this period. I cannot say what proportion were released under the release scheme since VJ-Day nor where they were released as no separate figures are maintained for the release of aliens either in the Army or in the other two Services.