§ Mr. LORT-WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for War whether a large number of Chinese coolies are being employed to clear up the battlefields in 1159W France; whether he is aware that many thousands of discharged sailors and soldiers are unable to obtain employment; and whether he will arrange that in future this clearance work shall be first offered to those discharged men who are willing to undertake it?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf the work now done by the Chinese in France was carried out by civilians an extra charge would fall on the Government, since the Chinese would still have to remain in France until repatriated. They are not being employed in substitution for white labour, but circumstances, not due to the Work on which they are engaged, have prevented more rapid repatriation.