§ Brigadier-General CROFTasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether his attention has been called to the delay in the repatriation of officers to the Crown Colonies; and whether, having regard to the fact that these officers have been absent from their businesses for some years, he will give them a preference in passenger traffic to the Crown Colonies and the Protectorates; (2) what is the number of civilians and demobilised officers and men, respectively, who have been repatriated to the Crown Colonies and Protectorates during the last three months, respectively?
§ Lieutenant-Colonel AMERYI will answer both the hon. and gallant Member's questions together. I am aware that there has been some unavoidable delay in the repatriation of demobilised officers and men to the Colonies and Protectorates owing to the shortage of shipping. I have no figures with regard to the number of civilians repatriated during the last three months, though I understand that many 627W have as yet been unable to obtain passages. I am informed that, apart from a special transport to the British West Indies, accommodation has been found for 150 officers and men only during the period in question, but that a large proportion of the available space is reserved by the Ministry of Shipping for returning officers and men, and that, in view of the improvement in the shipping situation, it is not anticipated that there will be any difficulty in dealing with the matter in future.
§ Mr. THOMAS DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for War when Sergeant-major W. R. Davies, No. M2/153391, Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), will be repatriated to Canada, seeing that he promised repatriation on 27th March and renewed his promise on 10th April, but that the soldier is still in England and has lost his situation in Canada owing to the long delay?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI regret I can add nothing to the answer which I gave on the 10th of April last.