§ 28. Colonel ASHLEYasked if, when a certain number of permits for home leave are issued to a division in the British Expeditionary Force in France instructions 1798 are given that they shall be allocated to officers, non-commissioned officers, and men in proportion to their strength in that division; and, if not, will orders be issued to that effect?
42. Sir HENRY DALZIELasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that discontent exists among the forces at the front in regard to the manner in which leave is granted, more especially to the lower ranks; and whether, consistently with military necessities, he can give an assurance that in future leave will be granted on a more equitable basis than has hitherto prevailed?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONSince the German offensive began, in March, the facilities for leave which we had then secured have, unfortunately, had to be foregone for reasons which will be obvious to the House. I am assured that they will be resumed as soon as the situation permits. Meanwhile, new instructions as to the granting of leave have had to be issued to make it, though, as I have said, it is necessarily greatly restricted, as equitable as possible. From the 20th of this month the restrictions have been relaxed, particularly in the case of men who have come from another front after prolonged absence from home.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWill the hon. Gentleman answer the question—if when a certain number of permits are assigned to a division in France instructions are given that they shall be so allocated to officers, non-commissioned officers and men that they shall severally get their fair share?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONBefore the German offensive in three months the War Office got back over 600,000 men, but since March the conditions of leave are entirely different. I will look into the point.