HC Deb 03 June 1919 vol 116 c1852W
Colonel BURN

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is possible, in view of the shortage of transport by rail and sea, for small care and maintenance parties to take charge of guns, wagons, and equipment of divisions in France, in place of the divisional cadres that are kept at full strength in Franco for this purpose; and, if this plan is adopted, could the great majority of the men now kept in France with the cadres who are available for demobilisation be brought home with the existing transport and the guns and wagons follow at a later date?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Orders have already been issued that in future cadres are to be sent home as personnel without equipment, and that only a small guard of one officer, one warrant officer, and six men are to be retained to bring home the equipments. These cadres commenced to arrive in this country last week.