§ Major HURSTasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that letters addressed to soldiers of No. 1 Column, Headquarters, Army Service Corps, Mechanical Transport, British Expeditionary Force, Mesopotamia, have been for some weeks passed returned to 2255W the senders marked Demob., England, location uncertain; and whether he will state, for the benefit of these soldiers' relatives, if they are now in India or on their way home and what is their postal address?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe unit referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is still serving in Mesopotamia, and he is therefore apparently referring to individuals belonging to the unit. Personnel in Mesopotamia who are for demobilisation are sent homeVia India, and it is possible that some of these men are being temporarily retained there on account of the situation that exists. In the absence of information as to specific cases, it is impossible to state whether the men referred to are being temporarily retained in India, or whether they are on their way home, but in any ease I am afraid it would not be possible to give definite information regarding an individual without communication with the authorities in the Far East.