HC Deb 22 October 1940 vol 365 cc919-20
6. Mr. R. J. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a period of leave to a soldier of three days on compassionate grounds is deducted from the usual leave?

The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Mr. Richard Law)

The rule has been that leave granted for compassionate reasons or for urgent private affairs counts against eligibility for privilege leave. My hon. Friend will appreciate that it is not practicable, in the interests of the Service, to grant leave to more than a small proportion of men at any one time, and if the rule were to be generally waived hardship would result to those who had not had compassionate leave and whose privilege leave would, in consequence, be continuously retarded. The rule, therefore, must stand generally, but my right hon. Friend feels that compassionate leave granted in consequence of enemy action should not count against the normal allotment of leave, and instructions are being issued to this effect.

Mr. Taylor

While appreciating the reply of the hon. Gentleman, may I draw his attention to the fact that many men going on leave are sometimes 23 hours on the way, which means that they can spend only one day at home out of three; and further, that, if three days are deducted from the usual leave, a man has only three days at home out of his seven days' leave; and will my hon. Friend draw the attention of his right hon. Friend to this matter, so that men on distant leave may at least have consideration?

Mr. Law

I realise the difficulty to which my hon. Friend refers, but it is covered to some extent by existing regulations whereby people who have a long way to go are, I believe, allowed to return to their unit later, and as things are at present, commanding officers have discretion, when they grant special leave, to grant the full seven days, so that the consequences to which my hon. Friend refers do not always occur. I will, however, call the attention of my right hon. Friend to the matter.

Mr. Taylor

If I can draw the attention of the hon. Gentleman to soldiers on leave who have not been able to get further than Newcastle and have had to stay there all night, will he look into the matter to see whether he can get the position altered?

Mr. Law

Certainly, Sir.

Sir Percy Harris

Will my hon. Friend see that special leave is given when a man's home has been bombed by enemy action, and that it should be understood by the officers commanding that they have a really good reason for allowing special leave in such cases?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Would my hon. Friend also call the attention of the other Service Departments to what has been said, so that there can be uniformity in the Forces?

Mr. Law

I will make a note of these matters.