3.
19
If however
discharged soldier for a period of five years. I understand
that if a soldier is discharged locally the War Office
accepts no responsibility for his repatriation.
he is not discharged locally the War Office is obliged to
repatriate him. The result is that men who might find
employment here are repatriated to swell unemployment at
home because the War Office will not accept liability for
repatriation for a period of five years. This Government
is prepared to accept responsibility after the first five
years.
9.
I therefore suggest that the War Office be
urged in the interest of its ex-soldiers to accept liability
for repatriation in all cases where satisfactory employment
can be found should such repatriation become necessary
owing to loss of employment from any cause during the first
five years after discharge. Such a policy would appear
most desirable from every point of view and the actual risk
would be small as the men selected for discharge to local
employment are invariably men with exemplary records of
service.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant,
N.d. Southoch.
Officer Administering the Government.