§ 5. Mr. E. BROWN (for Mr. HOREBELISHA)asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the position of non-commissioned officers of the Indian Army Ordnance Corps is growing worse as regards home leave; that during 1927 approximately 130 non-commissioned officers were entitled to leave and were desirous of taking it; that only those who arrived in India in September, 1919, were granted leave that, owing to the number of troops who arrived in India during the trooping season, 1919–20, those who arrived in the latter part, namely, March, April and May, will not, get leave before 1929 or 1930, which means that they will have served 10 years or longer in India before getting leave; and whether he will take steps to see that the regulations are carried out whereby noncommissioned officers are eligible for 12 months' leave after six years' service abroad?
§ Earl WINTERTONI am aware that opportunities of taking leave have been restricted during the past few years. The Government of India are examining the whole question, and my Noble Friend has impressed on them the desirability of arranging that the full amount of leave admissible under regulations should be made available.