HC Deb 05 May 1919 vol 115 cc619-20W
Mr. T. GRIFFITHS

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the majority of the officers and other ranks of the Army Postal Service, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, have had no home leave for over three years and in many cases for over four years; whether, although every officer and all other ranks are eligible for demobilisation, an Order has been issued that every member of the unit in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force is being compulsorily retained as part of the machinery of demobilisation; whether, as the appeal for volunteers for the Army of Occupation has been almost a complete failure, home leave is still being refused, except on strong compassionate grounds, to those who will not volunteer; whether the unit order issued on the 27th March that four other ranks have been granted home leave because they had volunteered for the Army of Occupation is a measure which has his sanction; and whether he will at once arrange with the Postmaster-General to replace all officers and other ranks of the unit in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force who have served over twelve months without home leave by volunteers from the home service or by transfers from other areas?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I cannot answer the first four parts of the hon. Member's question without reference to the military authorities in Egypt. As regards the last part of the question, the relief of these men is already in hand and drafts are being prepared for early dispatch for Egypt.

Mr. HAYDAY

asked the Secretary of State for War how many signal-section men who have had no home leave are still serving in Egypt; whether large numbers of officers and men are surplus to requirements; and whether he will permit officers and other ranks of administrative service and departments in Homeward Camp, Kantara, to go home?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am unable to furnish the number of men who have had no home leave and are still serving in Egypt, and it would entail considerable research to ascertain these figures. It is possible that a number of men surplus to requirements are being temporarily retained, but the existing situation in Egypt has to a certain extent delayed demobilisation. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer to the answer given yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Moss Side regarding the appointment of officers to inspect the registers of units with a view to ensuring that officers and soldiers are not retained without good and sufficient cause.

Mr. HAYDAY

asked the Secretary of State for War whether large bodies of 1914 enlistments are still being retained in Egypt; whether many of these men have had no home leave; and whether he will arrange for their immediate relief by sending fresh and fit troops from Europe?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I propose to make a statement on Tuesday.