§ Lieut.-Colonel RAYMOND GREENEasked the. Secretary of State for War whether he can give the number of men enlisted previous to 31st December, 1915, who are still being kept in India; and whether men entitled to demobilisation are being retained in that country whilst men who join the new Regular Army are being sent home?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe number of men in India who enlisted previous to 31st December, 1915, and are eligible for demobilisation, but are temporarily retained, is approximately 35,000. With regard to the last part of the question, one of the conditions under which men re-engage for the new Regular Army is that they are granted a period of leave in the United Kingdom, according to the term they re-engage to serve. In view of this, and of the fact that such men are now providing the drafts for India to relieve the demobilisable personnel in that country, who cannot be released until these reliefs arrive, it is necessary for those who reengage to be sent home for the leave due to them under the terms of their extended service.