Lieut-Colonel A. MURRAYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that William K. Lindsay, late 2ndKing Edward's Horse and Royal Engineers (Repatriation Reference, R. T. 1188), came to this country in the early part of the War, served for nearly four years, and has been awaiting repatriation to his home, Alexandria, Virginia, United States of America, very nearly six months; and whether he can hold out hopes of his being repatriated at an early date?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am informed that Mr. Lindsay's application for a passage was approved early in April, and that he will sail with his wife on the steamship "Corsican" about the 20th June. I would explain that the shipping accommodation available for families is much restricted owing to the large numbers of troops to be moved.
§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War how many men are waiting for repatriation in the camps at Winchester and Pirbright; what duties, if any, have they to perform at these camps; whether they are in receipt of full pay and allowances; what is the average time that men are detained in these camps before being repatriated; and whether he will take stepjs to expedite their repatriation?
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§ Mr. FORSTEROn 21st May the following number of officers and other ranks were on the strength of the repatriation camp:
At Pirbright … 1,517 officers. At Winchester … 1,908 other ranks. Officers whilst awaiting passage are permitted to proceed on leave if they so desire. Men are given at least ten days' leave before embarkation, and games and concerts are arranged during the remaining period in which their discharge documents are prepared. The average time that men are stationed at the repatriation camp varies from one month to six weeks. In the event of men being retained at the camp for any longer period, courses are arranged where possible. At present a number of men are undergoing a course of motor-driving. All officers and men are ready to embark one month from the date of joining the repatriation camp. They are in receipt of full pay and allowances. With regard to the last part of the question, they are being repatriated as rapidly as shipping becomes available.
§ Mr. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the discontentprevailing in the repatriation camps at Winchester and Pirbright, arising from the belief that the work of repatriation is being conducted in a negligent and dilatory manner, and from the irregularity and uncertainty as to the prospects of repatriation in each case; if he is aware that men are detained for weeks after the date when they were led to expect that they would be repatriated, without explanation of the delay being offered, and that many such men have agricultural or other interests in the Dominions which are suffering from their prolonged absence; and if he will introduce some regularity of system in the work of repatriation of men to the Dominions whereby, on fixed dates and in definite sequence of priority, they will be repatriated with all possible expedition and definite information be given when such fixed dates cannot be adhered to?
§ Mr. FORSTEROfficers and men are repatriated as soon as shipping becomes available. As a general rule, they embark about one month to six weeks after joining the camp, during which time their discharge documents are prepared, and they are sent on leave before rejoining again for embarkation. As soon as ships are allotted, the men are informed of the approximate date of sailing. Men are 1445W repatriated in accordance with a. definite scheme of priority, and in the case of the Dominions this priority is dealt with by representatives from the Dominions.