§ 4. Mr. Saltasked the Secretary of State for Air whether, when the two periods of leave granted per annum with two free warrants are increased to three or four periods of a less duration to suit the convenience of officers commanding units, he will grant free warrants so that men being subjected to these alterations shall not be penalised by having to pay their travelling expenses?
Captain BalfourI do not consider that any change in the regulations, such as is suggested by my hon. Friend, is called for. Flying personnel in the Royal Air Force are already allowed four free leave railway warrants a year. Ground personnel are allowed two free warrants a year and, in addition, have recently been granted an additional free warrant for embarkation leave. I am advised that when leave is taken in three or four periods, this is almost always allowed as a privilege for the convenience of the individual.
§ Mr. SaltIs the Under-Secretary aware that cases have been brought to my notice of men having to go home more than twice in the year at their own expense from places such as Belfast or other towns in Northern Ireland to the Midlands, and cannot they be assisted? Not only does this reduce the length of their leave, but it causes them great financial hardship.
Captain BalfourAs I have told the hon. Gentleman in my Reply, when leave is taken in three or four periods it is almost always for the convenience of the individual. Two free warrants are allowed for the two regulation periods, and I do not think we can go beyond that.
§ Mr. Robert GibsonCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the criterion of the time for leave is absence from the unit or absence in the home?