§ Major WARINGasked the Secretary of State for War whether commanding officers of units are empowered to delay or prevent the demobilisation of a soldier serving in their units; and can he give an assurance that a uniform system of sanctioning applications for demobilisation is adhered to, and that the usefulness of a soldier to his unit in no way mitigates his chances of demobilisation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Westhoughton on 13th February, 1919, regarding the temporary retention of men eligible for demobilisation. With reference to the last part of the question, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that all applications for demobilisation are dealt with under a uniform system in accordance with the Regulations governing demobilisation, but where men are performing duties of a special nature they cannot be released until their services can be spared or they can be replaced. Senior officers have been appointed to inspect unit registers, with a view to ensuring that no officers or men who are eligible for demobilisation are being retained without good and sufficient cause.