§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that J. C. M'Ewan, late lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery, a Canadian farmer, came from Macleod, Alberta, Canada, in 1915, to join up, travelling at his own cost; that he applied, on or about 10th December, 1918, for repatriation, and was demobilised on Form Z7 on 7th January, 1919, since when his pay ceased; that the Repatriation Office were unable to find him transport, and he thereafter found transport for himself and his wife on Saturday, 8th March, 1919, when he sailed; and that the Repatriation Office refused to pay the whole or any part of this transport because it was not secured by them; and whether he will instruct the Repatriation Office at least to refund to M'Ewan whatever sum his and his wife's repatriation by steamer and rail to Macleod, Alberta, would have cost had they been able to secure a transport for them?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOfficers and men whose claims to repatriation are approved are allowed to elect for an immediate or a deferred passage. If they elect for a, deferred passage they are informed that passages may not be available for sometime subsequent to the date notified by them as that on which they will be prepared to embark from the United Kingdom, and that no allowances whatever will be granted whilst awaiting passage. If an officer chooses to make his own arrangements, no refund can be given. I am informed that no communication from the officer referred to by my hon. Friend can be traced at the Repatriation Office at Winchester.