§ 36. Mr. BILLINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the privilege of one month's furlough to time-expired soldiers is still in existence if they elect to continue to serve for the duration of the War; and if a man who, having completed thirteen years in the Army, elects to continue to serve either for the duration of the War or to complete twenty-one years' service will be on the footing of a conscript although he has never left the Army at all?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONYes, Sir; the privilege is still in existence, provided that the exigencies of the service permit, and that accommodation in leave boats or transports is available in the case of men overseas. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the case which he has in mind in the last part of the question, I will let him know how the matter stands.
§ Mr. BILLINGWould the hon. Gentleman state if it is customary to give equality in each case, and not give leave once, twice, or three times to one man, when other men have had no leave at all?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONWe cannot give leave two or three times to the same man because he is time-expired.