HC Deb 16 July 1941 vol 373 c605
66. Mr. Buchanan

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the great hardship caused to many soldiers who are granted leave in paying their railway fares home as they have been already granted two free passes in the year; and whether he will consider increasing the number of free passes to four per year?

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

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 18th June last, of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. Buchanan

In view of the hardships in these cases, will not the hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter?

Mr. Law

I think that the existing arrangements are not ungenerous. In addition to the two free leave warrants per year, soldiers have the right to get a return ticket at the cost of a single fare, and I do not think we can go further than that.