§ MR. YERBURGH, (Chester)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will explain why the privilege, which was granted in December 1890, to soldiers on furlough, of being conveyed by railway at a single ordinary third-class fare for the double journey for any period of leave from one day upward, was, in August 1894, so far restricted that it is now only granted to soldiers travelling to visit their friends for a period of one week or more; and whether he would use his influence with the responsible authority to have the above restriction removed and to secure the re-granting of the privilege given in 1890?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe concession made by the Railway Companies was, that the cheap tickets might be granted to soldiers going on furlough to visit their friends—that is, for periods of absence exceeding six days. By some misunderstanding, however, the cheap tickets were frequently obtained for soldiers proceeding only "on pass" for even a single day. The railway companies brought these irregular issues of furlough tickets to the notice of the Military Authorities; and an Army Order was therefore issued, for the guidance of Commanding Officers, defining the intention of the original grant of these cheap tickets. It must be remembered that these cheap tickets are given by the favour of the railway companies, in excess of any statutory obligation, and I cannot press them, therefore, in the matter.