§ Mr. F. C. THOMSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether 1914 and 1915 men belonging to the signal companies of the Royal Engineers are not being demobilised in the ordinary way but are considered as part of the Army of Occupation; and, if so, whether he can take steps to obviate this hardship to these men?
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Captain GUESTMy hon. Friend is no doubt aware that demobilisation is at all times subject to the exigencies of the Service, and that men who are otherwise eligible for demobilisation are nevertheless liable to retention for the purposes of the military machinery of demobilisation, until they can be relieved or their services dispensed with. No doubt there are officers and men of the signal service who are so retained, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that every effort is being made to replace them as early as possible.