§ 37. Mr. Lipsonasked the Secretary of State for War on what date were reinforcements last sent to Palestine; did they include any soldiers under 19 years of age; and has it now been decided that none under that age shall be sent there in future.
§ Mr. ShinwellReinforcements are not sent direct from this country to Palestine. They are sent to the Middle East and posted from there in accordance with the252W needs of units. A ship sailing with reinforcements for the Middle East, including soldiers under 19, left this country yesterday. I am seeing to it that where possible soldiers under 19 are not posted from the Middle East to units in Palestine I can, however, give no guarantee of this. It must be subject to the exigencies of the Service, as it is essential that units in Palestine are maintained at adequate strength at this juncture. It will be realised that as units are gradually withdrawn from Palestine so the number of reinforcements required for that country is being reduced.