HC Deb 08 April 1919 vol 114 cc1831-2
31. Mr. HURD

asked the Secretary of State for War the result of his promised consideration of the provision of special treatment for men who have served in distant theatres of war and who, owing to exceptional circumstances, have had no home leave?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am afraid I can add nothing to my reply on Thursday last, in which I stated that large drafts had been placed under orders for Egypt and Constantinople. These will relieve a corresponding number of personnel who have served long periods in these theatres without leave. As regards Mesopotamia and India, no drafts can be sent to those places until climatic conditions permit, which will not be until August next at the earliest.

Mr. HURD

Will the right hon. Gentleman be so kind as to read again his own promise to me on the Report stage of the Military Service Bill, where he said that this matter should receive consideration with a view to special treatment, if possible?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes.

Mr. HURD

That is no special treat ment.

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes, we are sending out drafts as fast as we can form them to relieve a corresponding number of men.

Mr. HURD

That is the normal course of things, is it not? There is no special treatment in that.

Mr. CHURCHILL

We are not sending out drafts to the Army on the Rhine, for instance, to relieve the men who are due to serve there, but we are sending out drafts to relieve the men in distant theatres.

Mr. HURD

The Rhine Army have had home leave; these men have had none.

Mr. CHURCHILL

I was only trying to deal with the point raised that there was no special treatment in what we are doing.