§ 85. Mr. BOWERMANasked the Under-Secretary for War if he is aware that many soldiers have been at the front in Belgium for over ten months without being allowed Home leave; whether it was publicly announced that no soldier should remain at the front for a longer period than seven months without being granted Home leave; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to this undertaking being carried out?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe question of leave from the front is entirely in the hands of the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief. Subject to the exigencies of the Service, leave is given to men who have been at the front for a considerable period. I have no knowledge of any public pronouncement regarding leave to soldiers at the front.
Mr. CHANCELLORIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we shall be losing a large number of soldiers in August 1958 through their refusing to go on if the men are kept away with no leave?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am very sorry the hon. Member has information to that effect. I can scarcely credit it. The Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief is most anxious to give leave to the men so far as military exigencies will permit.
§ Mr. BOWERMANIs it not the case that some men have had two periods of leave, while other men for long periods have had no leave?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am afraid it is impossible that justice can be meted out absolutely with equality in an Army of a great many thousands of men.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the right hon. Gentleman say that the men who win the V.O. are granted furlough at once?