§ Major Sir EDWARD COATESasked the Secretary of State for War if a man who joined as a private in 1014 or 1915 and who was commissioned in 1917 or 1918 will be demobilised later than a man who joined as an officer in 1916 without serving in the ranks?
Mr. CHURCH ILLThe general principle governing the demobilisation of officers is that they are released as and when their services can be spared. All other conditions being equal, total length of service (both commissioned and in the ranks) is taken into account in deciding the priority of their demobilisation.
§ Mr. INSKIPasked the Secretary of State for War whether Private F. W. G. Robertson, No. 90595, Royal Army Medical Corps, 83rd Combined Stationary Hospital, Naseriyeh, Mesopotamia, who enlisted for duty in May, 1915, and has served in Mesopotamia since February, 1917, comes within the terms of paragraph 1 (i) of his Memorandum of 16th July, 1919, with regard to demobilisation; and whether this man will start for home before 28th August?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir. If Private Robertson joined the Colours for immediate service prior to 1st January, 1916, he comes within the paragraph of the Memorandum mentioned by my hon. Friend, and he should proceed for demobilisation by the end of this month.
§ Captain BAGLEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether a temporary lieutenant over forty-two years of age at present serving in France is entitled to release under the recent demobilisation Order, which states that all men over thirty-seven, except those serving in India and Russia, will start for home by 28th August?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Army Order recently published and referred to by my hon. Friend does not deal with the demobilisation of officers. A separate instruction was issued regarding their demobilisation, which states: "All officers (except902W Regular officers holding permanent coin-missions) who are not required for the Army of Occupation or for the military machinery of demobilisation will be demobilised. "If this officer's services are no longer required he will be released as soon as circumstances permit.