§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Secretary of State for War whether many men in Egypt have had no home leave; whether lack of transport is still the reason; and whether, seeing that these men were conveyed in cruisers when they were transported to Egypt, he will use a similar means of bringing them home?
Captain GUESTI regret no figures are available in the War Office to enable me to reply definitely to the first part of my right hon. Friend's question but, since the signing of the Armistice, over 500 officers and nearly 4,000 other ranks have been brought home on leave from Egypt. As I stated on Thursday last, all men who enlisted before the 1st January, 1916, are being demobilised as rapidly as possible in accordance with the new scheme (subject only to certain exceptions which are set out in the scheme). The whole of the shipping accommodation available is being mode use of for this purpose.
§ Captain Sir BEVILLE STANIERasked the Secretary of State for War whether a soldier now serving in the Australian Force now at Tripoli, in Palestine, could be sent to England for his sixty days' leave before being returned to Australia to be demobilised?
Captain GUESTSanction has recently been given for a limited number of soldiers serving with the Australian Imperial Force in Egypt to be granted leave to the United Kingdom. This concession will apply only to those who have not been to the United Kingdom, and priority will be given to men who have relatives in 591W this country. The selection of individuals for the privilege will rest with the military authorities in Egypt.