§ 7. Mr. Tinkerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on how leave is given to men serving overseas as there is concern on this matter?
10. Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for War whether relatives of men serving abroad may apply direct to the War Office for the return of men on compassionate grounds; and whether he will make a statement as to the general conditions on which such leave may be given?
§ Sir J. GriggI regret that owing to shipping limitations and operational needs no leave can in general be granted to personnel serving abroad to visit this country. Very occasionally it is possible to transfer individuals serving abroad to the Home establishment. Each case is dealt with on its merits. Such a transfer can only be considered in cases of ill-health, if the officer or soldier has served abroad continuously for at least seven years, or on extreme compassionate grounds when the physical presence at home of the officer or soldier is essential. Applications for such transfers should be made to the War Office. A recommendation for the individual's transfer may then be made to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Command in which he is serving, but the final decision rests with the General Officer 1415 Commanding-in-Chief and depends on the military situation and on the availability of shipping. Personnel serving abroad are given up to 28 days a year of local recuperative leave. They are given free travel to the nearest health resort. As such facilities are limited, particularly in the Middle East, rest camps are sometimes provided by the Army where officers and men can have a rest and a change.