§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in many of the cyclist brigades signal sections there are a number of Grade I men who have never been to France; why they cannot be sent over and their work done here by home service men; whether the 7th Cyclist Brigade Signal Section contains a large proportion of fit men who completed their training nearly two years ago; and whether the work they are doing could be equally well done by home service men?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIn many of the cyclist brigade signal sections there are a number of Grade I men who have not served in France, and this is owing to the fact that there has not been a sufficient number of trained home service men to take their places. For a considerable time past men in home service units, fit for service overseas, have been replaced by low category men as they become available. The men in the signal section mentioned by my hon. Friend, although fully trained for home requirements, would require a further course of instruction in wireless telegraphy before being sent overseas. As regards the last part of the question, the work could be equally well done by home service men if such men were available.