HC Deb 28 January 1942 vol 377 cc736-7W
Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for War what non-European Colonial troops have been raised and employed outside their own territories; whether he has received reports as to the pay, allowances, pension, welfare and other provision for African troops; whether he is satisfied with the health arrangements and rate of sickness of the African troops; how the mortality rates compare with European; and what provision is being made for men discharged from the services as disabled, unfit, etc.?

Captain Margesson

Colonial units from Cyprus, Palestine, Mauritius, Seychelles and Ceylon have been employed outside their own territories, as well as East and West African troops, many of whom took part in the Abyssinian campaign. Reports concerning the conditions of service of African troops are received regularly from General Officers Commanding. The Director General of Welfare and Education has recently visited both West Africa and the Middle East where he considered measures for providing for the greater comfort of Colonial units. No reports have been received indicating that the state of health of African troops or hospital facilities for them are other than satisfactory. No figures are readily available to compare the mortality rates of African and European troops. Disability pension and gratuity schemes are already in operation for the various colonial forces. Revised schemes for African troops have recently been drawn up by the East and West African Governments.