HC Deb 27 May 1919 vol 116 c1046W
Mr. R. GWYNNE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men serving in the 1035th (Area) Employment Company, British Salonika Force, who have attained the age of thirty-seven, years, are being retained in the Army on the grounds that they are not eligible for release, as they are not over forty-one years of age; and why men in the British Salonika Force are treated differently to men in other theatres of war in this respect?

Mr. FORSTER

I am not aware that the men referred to by my hon. Friend are being retained for the reason stated, and I think the information supplied to him must be incorrect. Men serving in Salonika are not being differently treated to those serving in other theatres of war. All men in that force who have attained the age of thirty-seven are eligible for demobilisation, unless they are serving under pre-war conditions of service, and their term of Colour service is not completed, and they are being released as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service permit.