Lieut.-Colonel SPENDER CLAYasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether, in view of the demobilisation of a large number of officers in the near future, he would arrange that these officers should be given an approximate date as to when actual demobilisation will take place, in order to enable them to make plans for the future;
(2) Whether he would give instructions that officers who are about to be demobi- 1939W lised should be given all reasonable facilities to obtain leave, in order that they may be able to secure employment before the date on which they are actually demobilised?
§ Mr. FORSTERArmy Order 122, of March, 1919, lays down that all officers who are to be demobilised are to be given notice in writing of their prospective demobilisation prior to being sent for dispersal, and that this notice should be given as early as practicable. It is not possible to do more than this. Where an officer's demobilisation is approaching but the actual date cannot be fixed, every help is given to enable him to make arrangements for civil employment, but no special leave for this purpose can be granted.