58. Colonel HOPEasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the general public make sacrifices with regard to travelling for pleasure commensurate with the sacrifices which soldiers are ordered to make by foregoing their week-end and Christmas leave and possibly even their draft leave; and whether he will take into consideration the fact that if civilians only are allowed to travel the greatest sacrifice will be made by the poorer classes of civilians who cannot themselves afford to travel at full fares to visit their soldier relatives?
Mr. ROBERTSAs the hon. and gallant Gentleman has no doubt seen in the Press, the War Office have now decided to grant Christmas leave to the same proportion of the troops in this county as last year.
Colonel HOPEHas not an Order been issued that troops are not to travel from the 23rd to the 26th inclusive?
Mr. ROBERTSI think the reply I have just made will show that if any such Order was made it is now countermanded.
Major HAMILTONMay I ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will inquire to-day whether it is not a fact that an Army Council Instruction. No. 2312, has been issued, and was printed last night in all the command orders stopping all soldiers from travelling at Christmas time? Will he remember that at the last public holiday he gave an undertaking that soldiers would be allowed to travel, and that undertaking was not carried out in the command?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is quite true that an Order has been issued preventing travelling by soldiers from the 22nd to the 25th December inclusive, As far as I remember, those are the same dates on which soldiers were prevented from travelling last Christmas.
§ Mr. ASHLEYDoes not that stop all Christmas leave to soldiers?
§ Mr. FORSTERCertainly not. They proceed on leave before the 22nd.
§ Colonel McCALMONTDoes my hon. Friend's last reply equally apply to men on leave from the Expeditionary Force?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo; men on leave from the front travel freely the whole time.
Major HAMILTONIs it the fact that soldiers and officers employed in the Ministry of Munitions received the same order, while civilians employed in the Ministry of Munitions may travel as much as they like?
§ Mr. FORSTERPerhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will address his question to the Ministry of Munitions.
§ 78. Sir JOHN SPEARasked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the disappointment and irritation caused by the recently-issued War Office orders relating to Christmas leave for soldiers and sailors in training; and, where it is not possible to grant leave to such men during Christmas to visit their friends, will he provide that opportunity be given early in the New Year for the purpose of doing so?
§ 120. Mr. DEVLINasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Christmas leave will be granted to the wounded soldiers in Ireland who are able to travel, since the number of them is small as compared with the number of wounded in Great Britain and the granting of leave would not involve any considerable inconvenience on the Irish railways?
§ 126. Mr. BROOKESasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the public feeling on the subject and the disappointment which would be felt by the men, he will reconsider the proposal to restrict the Christmas leave of soldiers?
§ 133. Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can make any further statement as to Christmas leave for soldiers?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt has already been announced that arrangements will be made to enable the same proportion of the troops in the United Kingdom to spend Christmas at home, as last year?
§ Sir J. SPEARWill the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question, as to whether those who are unable to have Christmas leave can have leave early in the New Year?
§ Mr. FORSTERI will consider that, but I cannot make any promise.
§ Mr. THOMASWill arrangements be made for free travelling?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe arrangements for the issue of free travelling warrants will be the same as those that are in force now.
§ Major H. TERRELLHaving regard to the unsatisfactory nature of the answers of the hon. Gentleman, I beg to give notice that I will call attention to the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.
§ 80. Major Sir CHARLES HUNTERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he wilt consider the possibility of granting to all soldiers and sailors serving at home who obtain Christmas leave a prior right of travel over civilians in such railway facilities as are available?
§ Sir C. HUNTERI asked at the Table for advice, and I was told to put the question to the Board of Trade.