Brigadier-General PALMERasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a general in France has issued an Order that all men who have grievances as to demobilisation should refer to their Members of Parliament; and, if so, is it with the approval of the War Office?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo Order in the terms alleged has been issued. My hon. Friend probably refers to the following words contained in a statement by the General Officer Commanding British Troops in France and Flanders, who, in a recent statement issued as an Order of the Day, when dealing with the situation of men retained by the Act recently passed, used the words,
A soldier who feels aggrieved at the law which has affected his contract is quite justified in urging his Member of Parliament to take up the matter.This refers to a grievance in connection with the Act and not to any demobilisation grievance apart from the Act. The War Office were not consulted before the Order of the Day was issued, nor would it be customary for previous reference to be made by a General Officer Commanding in regard to the issue of Orders. At the 1443W same time I consider that the wording of the Order is likely to throw an undue burden on Members of Parliament, and I have given directions that it should be cancelled.