War

New Zealand Reinforcements

2.

Major DAVID DAVIES
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Army Council, without any pressure on the part of the New Zealand Government, authorised a reduction in the reinforcements from New Zealand; whether he can state when, and on what grounds, this decision was arrived at: and whether, in view of the existing conditions, when the need of reinforcements is greater than ever, the Secretary of State for War is pre pared to reconsider his decision in this matter?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)
The number of reinforcements periodically asked for from New Zealand are such as are found necessary to maintain in the field, at establishment strength, the formations which the New Zealand Government has placed at the disposal of the Imperial Government.

Major DAVIES
Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the drafts are sufficient to keep the forces up to full strength?

Mr. MACPHERSON
I believe that is the case.

General Elliot

3.

Mr. BUTCHER
asked the Under secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state that General Elliot will shortly be appointed to a suitable post?

Mr. MACPHERSON
I am not in a position yet to make any statement.

Glamorganshire Engineers (Sapper D M Jenkins)

4.

Major DAVIES
asked the Under secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to communicate the  results of his inquiries into the case of the late David Morgan Jenkins, No. 454830, sapper in the Glamorganshire Royal Engineers; and whether he has taken steps to bring this case to the notice of the Minister of National Service?

Mr. MACPHERSON
The investigation in this case will necessarily take some little time, and I regret that I am not yet in a position to reply to my hon. and gallant Friend. Telegraphic inquiries have been made, and I will communicate with him at the earliest possible moment.

Medical Services (France)

5.

Major DAVIES
asked the Under secretary of State for War whether he has now received the Report of the Army Council on the Committee of Inquiry into the Medical Services in France; whether he is now prepared to state whether this Report is to be published or not; and what action the Army Council proposes to take upon it?

Mr. MACPHERSON
The Report has just been received from France, and it is being considered.

Military Barracks, Buttevant

6.

Captain SHEEHAN
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can now state if the proposal for converting the military barracks at Buttevant, county Cork, into a hospital for the treatment of venereal disease has been dropped?

Mr. MACPHERSON
Yes, Sir; as I informed my gallant Friend, it has been decided to abandon this proposal.

Jewish Battalions (Palestine)

7.

Mr. CARADOC REES
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give an assurance that all Jews recruited for Jewish units will, as far as is reasonably possible, be utilised in the Palestine area?

Mr. MACPHERSON
I am pleased to be able to give this assurance. All recruits enlisted for Jewish battalions will be drafted to Jewish units in Palestine if medically fit. As long as the exigencies  of the Service permit, Jewish battalions are definitely intended for employment in Palestine.

Mr. PEMBERTON BILLING
Can the hon. Gentleman state whether the Government have any special reason why the Jewish battalion should not be subjected to the ordinary risks on the Western Front?

Mr. MACPHERSON
I think the risk in Palestine is very often as great as on the Western Front.