§ 8. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can state what arrangements are made with regard to leave in the case of lads. of eighteen who are in training in this country; whether he is aware that when a number of these soldiers attached to the 3rd Yorkshire Regiment applied for a leave they were requested to apply again when they had put in nine months' service; whether there is any Army Council Instruction to this effect; and whether steps can be taken to introduce greater uniformity in this matter?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONSpecial attention has been called recently to the orders which already exist as to the grant of leave to these young soldiers. Leave and a free railway warrant is usually given after three months' training, and again after a further period has elapsed. Leave may also be given at other times at reduced fares, subject to the usual restrictions.
§ Mr. ANDERSONWill the hon. Gentleman inquire into the case I have mentioned, where young lads of eighteen in the 3rd Yorkshire Regiment were told that they could not have leave until they had actually been nine months in service in this country?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI will make inquiries.