§ Mr. J. A. PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Sapper T. Critchley, Mo. 209751, c/o A.D.G.T., Royal Engineers Transportation Army of the Black Sea, Batoum, South Russia, who attested under the Derby scheme on 19th December, 1915, left England in April, 1919, for Constantinople, but was sent on to Russia without his consent; is he aware that, on leaving Salonika, the troops were told that it was a volunteer draft for Russia, and that only volunteers would be sent; that on arriving at Constantinople the officer commanding was interviewed, and it was pointed out to him that they were not all volunteers, and that several of the men attested under the Derby scheme, 574W and he replied that he could keep them until 30th April, 1920; and will the Secretary of State for War have inquiries made in this case, and take steps for the withdrawal of this man from Russia, who did not volunteer, at the earliest possible date?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLSapper Critchley was employed with the Army of Occupation in the Caucasus, for which duty men were not required to volunteer. As I stated during the Debate on the 29th July, these forces are Being withdrawn.