§ Major H. Fraserasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make a statement regarding the release of officers holding Regular commissions in His Majesty's Forces; and whether, as a temporary expedient, such officers will be allowed to opt for release under the terms of the ordinary scheme for demobilisation.
§ Mr. LawsonAs regards Regular Army officers, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Hythe (Lieut.-Colonel Mackeson). In general, Regular officers of the three Services are no longer wholly debarred from applying to retire or resign, although the numbers who can be spared at present will be small. Each case must be considered on its merits. I regret that they cannot be allowed to opt for release under the ordinary Release Scheme.