Mr. E. HORNEasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that at the time of the Armistice there were included in the British Salonika Force five companies of British Labour Corps, each with an establishment of over 500 all ranks; also employment companies consisting of men who had served in front-line units, but had been placed in a lower medical category on account of ill-health contracted in the front line, and owing to the climatic conditions of the country; also several battalions of Macedonian labour; officered and supervised by British troops; and is he aware of the disappointment of the officers and men of this force at the omission to mention them in the final dispatch of General Milne. 22nd January, 1173W 1919; (2) whether the omission to mention the work of the Labour Corps in the final dispatch of the Commander-in-Chief, British Salonika Force, dated 22nd January. 1919, was due to General Milne's disapprobation of their work or any other cause?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe facts were approximately as stated by the hon. Member. I have consulted Sir George Milne, who tells me that he intended to include the Labour Corps in his reference to the work done under the Engineer-in-Chief and the Macedonian Corps in his reference to the Infantry. I will consider in what way this intention can be made clear.