§ Sir R. Youngasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the feeling of unfairness among men at the special reception camp, C.M.F., who have served over four years abroad, at the failure of the Python Scheme by detaining them from repatriation in favour of other men with much less service abroad; and whether he will explain why men on the list to travel home by the s.s. "Georgic'' had their passages cancelled in favour of air travel which was also cancelled on two occasions.
§ Mr. BellengerIn the absence of detailed information I can only give a general reply. It is, of course, possible that, soldiers due for release under the age and service scheme may be sent home after a shorter period overseas than those who are required to complete the full tour before repatriation; further, when the tour of service was first reduced to four years all the men who then qualified for repatriation could not be sent home at once. But, as stated by my right hon. Friend on 21st August in reply to Questions by the hon. and gallant Member for the City of Chester (Major Nield) and the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) the arrears are rapidly being overtaken and it is hoped that they will be fully worked off by the end of next month. The particular incident relating to the "Georgic" is difficult to trace, but it appears from an examination of the records that this was a case in which the priorities for return were properly observed. The short delay in the inauguration of the air service at that time was unfortunate but unavoidable; it is assumed, however, that the men affected were delayed for only about a week.