§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Minister of National Service whether his attention has been called to a recent public announcement to the effect that the United States of America War Department are not sending men of enemy nationality to the 327W War, but retaining them for insular posts; whether, in view of the dissatisfaction which exists amongst men of this character who are attached to the Middlesex Regiment and are now in France, and the danger of their being shot if captured by the enemy, steps will be taken to transfer them back to this country and to utilise their services, perhaps, to better advantage?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy attention has not specially been drawn to this announcement, and there is no official information with regard to it. I am not aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst men of enemy nationality in the Middlesex Regiment, as my hon. Friend alleges. On the contrary, I am informed that the administration and the discipline of the labour companies of this regiment in France are entirely satisfactory. The companies are employed in back areas, in sparsely populated districts, and not in shelled areas, and there is no intention of withdrawing them from France.