§ 6. Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked whether officers and men of the Royal Navy when returning home from active service do not travel free of expense but on reduced terms only, whereas officers and men of the Army travel in similar circumstances free of expense; if so, what are the grounds of this difference in treatment between sailors and soldiers; and will steps be taken to secure for the Navy to the very fullest extent privileges accorded to the Army?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in supposing that the Navy is under any disadvantage as compared with the Army in the matter of free travelling facilities for leave. I do not think that I should be justified in 1578 stating the conditions, subject to the exigencies of the Service, under which periodic leave is granted, and under which leave on return from active service and when proceeding to and from sick leave is granted; but, so far as I am aware, a comparison of the systems adopted by the two Departments would show that the Navy is not less generously treated in the matter of free travelling facilities than the Army.