§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are made for the sport and amusement of those of our troops who are detained in Marseilles owing to the lack of railway accommodation?
§ Mr. FORSTERA report is being obtained from France, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it is received.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for War Low many British troops are now detained at Marseilles owing to the lack of trains to bring them here; and why they could not have been brought by boat?
Mr. CHURCH ILLThe numbers waiting in Marseilles for conveyance to the United Kingdom on October 28th were as follows:—
Officers 95 Other ranks 2,154 These should have left Marseilles by November 2nd. The possibility of bringing troops held up at Marseilles to the United Kingdom by sea, was considered and carried out as far as shipping permitted, fifty-four officers and 1,454 other ranks being taken by transport. No further shipping was available without dislocating moves of other units in the Mediterranean. One shipload of troops was diverted from Marseilles to another port, so as to ease the congestion. The holding up of the troops at Marseilles was due to the railway strike at home.