§ 85. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will look into the regulations in respect of furlough from India and their application to non-commissioner officers of the barrack department of the military engineer services; and whether, seeing that the two branches of military engineer services, namely, the buildings and roads and electrical and mechanical branches, have a leave reserve which permits members to take leave once in every six years, as laid down in regulations for the Army in India, whereas the barrack department leave reserve permits its members to take leave approximately only once in 10 years, he will arrange for the same facilities in respect of furlough to this country to be allowed to members of the barrack department of the military engineer services in India?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Wedgwood Benn)The facts as regards the leave reserve of the barrack department are generally as stated; but when the matter was last considered it was not held necessary to increase the actual leave reserve, as adequate arrangements could be made to ease the situation by the loan of men from regimental units when necessary.