HC Deb 04 July 1919 vol 117 cc1276-7W
Mr. RAMSDEN

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the troops who on their way home for demobilisation were detained in India are being used for garrison work in the interior of the country; whether there is in consequence great dissatisfaction; and whether, the situation having improved, he proposes to arrange for the sending home of these men, many of whom have been in Mesopotamia for three years and are now suffering from all sorts of ailments?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Owing to the situation in India, all men arriving in that country are being detained, some of whom are being used to meet the requirements of internal security. Individual cases of dissatisfaction have been reported. Regiments of post-war garrison are now being sent out to India, and it is hoped to be able to release men detained in India who are eligible for demobilisation as soon as the situation permits. As I said on Wednesday, these men from Mesopotamia will be brought home as soon as possible, and they are to foe the first troops to leave India.