§ 50. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, owing to the prohibition of general leave for men in the Fighting Services, accommodation for temporary lodgings in towns and villages nearby to camps and war stations is becoming taxed to capacity, due to the desire of soldiers' and airmen's 2076 wives and families to be near their menfolk during the Christmas period; and whether he will modify the orders for the week-end 20th to 21st December?
§ Mr. AttleeMy hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. As my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport explained in answer to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), on 3rd December, the normal amount of privilege leave will be given during the Christmas period, but it has been so arranged as to avoid travel by long-distance trains during 24th to 28th December inclusive. The only restriction during the week-end of 20th and 21st December will be in respect of short-pass leave, and the object of this restriction is to enable a higher percentage of men to be sent home on privilege leave on those days.