§ 36. Mr. Dobbieasked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements have been made for home leave for all British Expeditionary Force men who have returned to this country, and what is the nature of same; have free railway warrants been issued for such leave, and is it a special and not one of the regulation leaves; and how many leaves per annum with free warrants are granted to members of the Forces?
§ Mr. EdenArrangements have been made to enable British Expeditionary Force personnel to spend 48 hours in their homes on special leave with a free travelling warrant, additional to the two free warrants a year otherwise admissible for travelling on leave. Almost all of those concerned have already had this special leave.
§ Mr. DobbieIs the right hon. Gentleman considering extending the number of leaves per annum which may be given to Service soldiers?
§ 66. Mr. Burkeasked the Secretary of State for War why the applications of soldiers for leave on account of serious illness are frequently held up so long that death and, in some cases, burial has taken place before the soldier reaches his home?
§ Mr. EdenIt is certainly my desire that such applications should not be held up beyond the minimum time necessary for investigation. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any cases that have come to his notice, I will have them investigated.
§ Mr. BurkeIs the Secretary of State aware that he has had a number of cases of long delay from me, and will he see that, whether the delay is caused by muddle or pinpricking, the distress which soldiers naturally feel at these times is not increased by unnecessary delays caused by War Office red tape?
§ Mr. EdenI am very anxious that there should be no unnecessary delays, but quick verification is not always easy, as the hon. Member knows.