§ Flight-Lieutenant Teelingasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the complaints by airmen returning to this country, of conditions of travel across France; and whether he will take steps in future to arrange for their transport by air.
§ Mr. StracheyMen returning by land over this route have had uncomfortable journeys, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War is taking steps to improve conditions. At the same time I think it will be agreed that most men are ready to accept uncomfortable conditions, if by doing so they can get home quicker. I am afraid that it will not be possible to provide air transport for all these men, who, after all, can get back by rail. The transport services of the R.A.F. are being and will be strained to the uttermost by the huge task of moving a total of 1,000,000 men and women from all the Services over various routes during the next nine months.