§ 7. Mr. HOHLERasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire why it is that men who have been serving at the front since August and September,1914, have received no leave, whilst others who went to the front at a later date have been on leave; and will he make representations to those responsible in the matter with a view to ensure that those who have been serving longest receive preference in the matter of leave?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have on several occasions explained to the House that the grant of leave to soldiers at the front is a matter for the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief. If men who have been serving since August, 1914, have as yet received no leave, this must be due to special reasons, as the system of giving preference in the matter of leave to those who have been serving longest is the natural and accepted basis upon which men are selected. I hope the hon. Gentleman will therefore excuse me from making any formal representation to the Commander-in-Chief, who, as I have also stated on previous occasions, is strongly impressed with the desirability of giving leave freely and, of course, on conditions which distribute the privilege as fairly as is possible in the circumstances.
§ Mr. HOHLERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that numerous complaints have been made, and can he say why these men should not have leave equally with others? I have drawn attention to this matter on several occasions, and I do ask the right hon. Gentleman to make inquiries?
§ Mr. TENNANTAs I have stated in the answer, this matter is entirely in the hands of the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief. Leave is given as freely as it possibly can be, but it must, of course, be governed by the exigencies of the military situation. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman realises that. No preference is given in any case where it is possible for leave to be granted to any unit. The matter is solely governed by the military situation.
§ Mr. HOGGEDoes the right hon. Gentleman say that there is no rule by which a man is entitled to so much leave after so much service?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, Sir, it would not be possible. I am sure that my hon. Friend will see the reason why it is not possible to have any hard and fast or stereotyped rule of that kind.
§ Mr. HOHLERWould not the right hon. Gentleman give an intimation whether it is possible for this matter to be inquired into to see whether that which he believes works fairly really does work fairly?
§ Mr. TENNANTAs I have already stated, this matter is constantly and always present to the mind of the Field-Marshal and his staff, and therefore I do ask the hon. Gentleman not to press me to bring it again to the notice of the Field-Marshal. I feel that it would be really a matter of supererogation.