§ 111. Mr. Draysonasked the Secretary of State for War the number of service personnel passing through Army demobilisation centres in the months of January 184W and February who were not supplied with a suit of clothes or a similar outfit.
§ Mr. LawsonThe total number of men of all Services passing through Demobilisation Clothing Centres in January and February was 795,221 of whom 51,937 could not be fitted from stock with suits or similar outfits. 22,806 outfits have since been sent by post
118. Lieut. - Commander Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for War the highest and lowest age and length of service groups from which men classified as slathers and plasterers are at present eligible for release under Class B.
§ Mr. LawsonNew demands for men in both these trades have recently been received from the Ministry of Labour and National Service, and I cannot yet say to which groups it will be necessary to offer release under Class B in order to meet these demands. Hitherto slaters and tilers have not been offered release in groups beyond 33 and plasterers in groups beyond 36. In some arms of the Service these groups have not been reached, as men are drawn first from the Corps from which they can more easily be spared.
§ 127. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for War if every possible step is taken to publicise in all units the reasons for alterations in demobilisation and any modifications of the original plans; and whether periodic printed statements are both circulated among all troops and instructions given that these statements should be prominently displayed.
§ Mr. LawsonI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Flight-Lieutenant Beswick) on 26th February, and also to the statement I made on this subject last Tuesday in the course of the Debate on the Defence White Paper.