§ Colonel MORDENasked the Secretary of State for War whether he received applications representative of all classes of the community in Chiswick and Brent-ford requesting that, on its return from service overseas the 1/10th Middlesex Regiment might be permitted to be demobilised from their own headquarters at Chiswick rather than from the demobilisation centre at Crowborough; and whether the applicants were informed, orally as well as in writing, that apart from the question of creating a precedent, which, if refused to others would be a source of grievance, additional expense would be incurred and great inconvenience caused to the demobilisation staff at Crow-borough?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir, but for the reason stated on 11th November, in answer to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for West Willesden, it was decided that no exception could be made to the normal procedure laid down.
§ Colonel MORDENasked the Secretary of State for War whether, on return of the 1/10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, 615W who have been serving overseas for approximately five years, furlough has been given to the men but leave has been refused to the officers; whether he will state the reasons for this preferential treatment; and, in view of the fact that many of the officers have had little opportunity of leave during their time abroad, will he see his way to reverse this decision?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe rule as regards officers brought home for demobilisation is that on arriving in this country they proceed to a dispersal station and are then demobilised with effect from the date of dispersal. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend of the not unsubstantial gratuities drawn by officers on demobilisation under the Pay Warrant.
§ Colonel MORDENasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on the return to this country of the 1/10th Middlesex Regiment from overseas at Devonport on the 13th November the commanding officer of this unit was personally promised by the representatives of the Director of Movements at the War Office that the heavy baggage of the unit should be sent direct to the headquarters of the battalion at Chiswick and not to Crowborough; whether, in fact, this promise was broken and the heavy baggage sent to Crowborough; if so, whether he will state the name of the officer; and whether, in the event of the facts being as stated, he will cause disciplinary action to be taken?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries have been made at the War Office and at Devonport, but I cannot find that any such promise as suggested was given. The heavy baggage was forwarded to the same destination as the unit in accordance with the usual custom.
§ Colonel MORDENasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the train conveying the 1/10th Middlesex Regiment from Devonport to Crow-borough left Devonport at 6 p.m., 13th November, arriving at Crowborough at 5.30 a.m., 14th November; that the train was so hastened in its departure that the whole of the orderly room papers and necessary documents were left behind; that on the arrival at Crowborough station of the unit the men had to march three miles to the deserted camp; that there were seven or eight degress of frost; that the blankets issued to the men were damp; whether in a wind-swept 616W camp many men had to sleep on the ground; whether he is also aware that the first food available was at about 10 a.m., and that dinners were available and served at 7 p.m.; whether he is further aware that the men of the unit were without dinners from midday, Wednesday, until 7 p.m., Friday; whether it is a fact that the Eastern Command had only received tardy notification of the arrival of the unit; whether he will state the name of the Director of Movements; and whether any steps will be taken to replace this officer by one who is more active and conversant with his duties?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am inquiring into the statements made in this question, and will acquaint my hon. and gallant Friend of the result as soon as possible.