HC Deb 14 May 1941 vol 371 cc1219-20
65. Mr. Tinker

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact of soldiers having to carry full active service equipment when travelling on the railways, and that this causes them discomfort; and will he consider some scheme by which this could be remedied when railway journeys are undertaken?

Mr. Law

My hon. Friend will appreciate that active operations in this country may develop at very short notice. Soldiers who are absent from their units on leave or for other reasons may be prevented from rejoining them in such circumstances, and may have to join units operating locally. It has therefore been decided that all soldiers who are absent from their units for more than 48 hours must travel with full active service equipment.

Mr. Tinker

As it is a great hardship for soldiers going on leave to carry the burdens they have to carry in crowded railway carriages, is there not some other method that could be adopted to make things a little easier for them?

Mr. Law

I can see that there are certain definite inconveniences to the soldier, but I think they would be greater if he had to face the Germans without arms.

Sir Percy Harris

Seeing that many soldiers have to stand up in corridors, where there is no sitting accommodation, cannot arrangements be made for their equipment to be carried in the luggage van?