§ Mr. WATERSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether the Army of Occupation will retain men of over thirty-seven years of age and who joined the Colours 1st January, 1916; and whether, seeing that the Derby scheme secured men for the forces under the promise that they would be released at the cessation of hostilities, any steps will be taken to release these men, many of them married men with families and who have served overseas?
Captain GUESTIn reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, these men are being demobilised as the exigencies of the Service permit. With regard to the second part, men who attested under the Derby scheme will be demobilised if they are eligible for demobilisation under the recent Army Orders making provision for the composition of the Armies of Occupation.
§ Lieutenant-Colonel DALRYMPLE WHITEasked the Secretary of State for War whether men of over thirty-seven years of age belonging to the Expeditionary Force (Canteen Section) of the Royal Army Service Corps are to be retained with the Colours; and whether it would be now possible to employ civilian labour in Expeditionary Force canteen establishments at home and abroad?
Captain GUESTIn canteen establishments at home the only form of labour employed has been civilian from the commencement of the War. Demobilisation Regulations which are at present in force for the Army are equally applicable to the Royal Army Service Corps (Canteen Section). The question of employment of civilian labour in Expeditionary Force canteen establishments abroad has been given serious consideration, but up to the present time the employment of such labour has not been thought practicable.