§ 44. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for War why leave from the British Expeditionary Force is no longer taken in alphabetical order; and whether he is aware of the grave discontent among the Forces because of alleged discrimination and selection instead of the earlier system?
§ Mr. StanleyI am informed that the order in which men are given ordinary leave from the British Expeditionary Force is determined, not alphabetically, but by drawing names out of a hat. There has not been any change of system.
§ Mr. WilliamsAre we to understand from the reply of the right hon. Gentleman that there is a new system now of selection as distinct from the previous days?
§ Mr. StanleyI am given to understand that it is done entirely by drawing lots.
§ Mr. Robert GibsonIs any account taken of the length of service of these men?
§ Mr. StanleyYes, Sir. A unit gets a leave allotment according to the length of service of its men.
§ Mr. T. SmithDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is the best method of selecting men, and is he aware that a good many men who have been out since October are complaining of the unfair way in which leave is granted?
§ Mr. StanleyI think that, after the experience of the last war, this method is the best way of doing it. Whatever method is adopted, there always will be complaints.
§ Mr. ThorneIs it possible for one man to obtain two leaves?
§ Mr. Stanleyindicated dissent.