§ 90. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that about 40 Spaniards serving in the Pioneer Corps, all in Groups 24, 25 and 26, have 37W been informed that their releases have been indefinitely deferred and will he state the reasons for this.
§ Mr. LawsonThe question of the release of aliens of all nationalities now serving in this country has been under consideration with the Departments concerned. The release of certain aliens serving in No. I Spanish Company of the Pioneer Corps, to whom my hon. and gallant Friend presumably refers, has been held up pending a decision on this general question. It has now been decided that generally, aliens who enlisted outside the United Kingdom will not be eligible for release in the United Kingdom, but that those who enlisted in the United Kingdom will be eligible for release in this country. In the latter case, release for those who are eligible will very shortly proceed.