HC Deb 24 May 1946 vol 423 cc113-4W
Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

asked the Secretary of State for War how many troops of the Indian Army and the Dominion and Colonial Forces are being brought to the United Kingdom for the Victory parade; and to what extent their transport is delaying the embarkation of Service men and women for repatriation and demobilisation and the return of British civilians who have long awaited a passage home.

Mr. Lawson

The number of troops being brought to the United Kingdom from India, Burma, the Dominions, and Colonies for the Victory March are as follow:

India and Burma 790
Dominions 743
Colonies 1,551
3,084

As regards interference with the repatriation of Service personnel, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and' gallant Member for the Isle of Ely (Major Legge-Bourke) on 13th May. I would also refer him to the reply giver(to a number of hon. Members on 21st May. It is not possible to say how many British civilians could have been accommodated in the space occupied by the Victory March contingents as this depends on the type of accommodation which they used.