HC Deb 01 May 1941 vol 371 cc567-8
60. Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider extending the leave of members of the Royal Air Force stationed in England but resident in Scotland by an appropriate number of hours or days to cover extended distance of travel?

The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)

I regret that such a concession would not be practicable.

Mr. Gibson

Will the Minister not consider making leave equitable by substituting the principle of potential presence in the home for absence from the unit as the basis on which leave is given?

Captain Balfour

That particular suggestion has been considered, but I am afraid that the exigencies of the Service are such that we could not have men going off singly at different times in order to allow them all to have equal times at their homes because the times of journeys vary.

Mr. Gibson

But is it necessary for men going on leave all to go by the same train and come back by the same train?