HC Deb 02 July 1940 vol 362 cc647-9
6. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that considerable inconvenience is being caused to soldiers sent from one part of the country to another, on leave, by the failure to provide them with sufficient food or money for the journey; and whether he will take steps to prevent such occurrences in future?

Mr. Eden

Instructions have been issued on this subject, but, if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the cases he has in mind, I will have them investigated.

Mr. Mander

I shall be glad to do that, but the complaints are widespread throughout the country.

22. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that soldiers going on, or returning from, leave whose journey is lengthy shall be permitted to use vacant first-class seats when other seats are not available and whether he will consider the granting of more frequent leave to home-serving soldiers with more than one year's service, if circumstances permit, so as to enable them to spend some days at home each quarter?

Mr. Eden

I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport that the railway staff have latitude, if a train is seriously overcrowded, to allow serving members of the Forces to occupy available seats in first-class compartments As regards the second part of the Question, in present circumstances leave can be given only in exceptional circumstances, but the normal rule has been that soldiers serving at home are eligible for seven days' leave every three months.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that information regarding this decision is not generally known, because numbers of soldiers are still left to stand in the corridors of long-distance trains?

Mr. Eden

I think the publication of this Question and Answer will assist in making the position known.

Mr. George Griffiths

When did the Minister give this instruction, because only this morning I saw men turned out of a first-class carriage?

Mr. Eden

The giving of instructions would be a matter for the Minister of Transport. I hope these Questions and Answers will result in the necessary publicity being given to the matter.