Mr. B. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for War whether Service personnel having served five years or more overseas, and having returned to this country, will be drafted for overseas service again.
§ Sir J. GriggI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Ballenger) on 22nd February. I much regret that owing to the shortage of men it may be necessary, at any rate for the time being, to send such men overseas again after a period of three months in this country instead of six months as hitherto. They will not, however, be sent if suitable men are available who have been in this country over three months.