HC Deb 06 July 1943 vol 390 cc1915-6
8. Mr. Daggar

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider giving to men who have been serving in His Majesty's Forces abroad, upon landing in this country on leave, a sum of money in excess of £5, especially when they have in a bank or with the authorities an account to their credit much larger than this amount?

Mr. A. Henderson

A soldier landing in this country normally proceeds to a unit or place of reception, at which a payment is made in respect of pay and ration allowance before he proceeds on leave. At the same time, a payment can be made of any balance, however large, known to be standing to his credit in his account. The pay accounts of soldiers in India are, however, kept in India, and instructions have therefore been issued that payments on account may be made to such soldiers (to warrant officers £7, to sergeants £5, to corporals and privates £3) in addition to pay and ration allowance for the leave period. Payments in excess of these sums might put the individual's account seriously into debt. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the Army authorities cannot relate payments to credits standing in private banking accounts.

14. Mr. Daggar

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has given further consideration to the granting of leave to those men of His Majesty's Forces who have achieved so much in North Africa, especially in cases where they have served abroad for periods of five years and more?

Mr. Henderson

Officers and men with six or more years of continuous service abroad are being transferred to the home establishment in so far as shipping and the military situation permit. On the general question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 15th April by the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith).

Mr. Daggar

It is because in my opinion that reply was very unsatisfactory that I put this Question down. Does not my hon. and learned Friend consider that men who have served five years abroad should have some consideration with regard to leave?

Mr. Henderson

We had better deal with those who have been abroad for six years before we deal with those who have been abroad for five years. We are dealing with the six-year men as fast as we can.

Mr. Quintin Hogg

Is not my hon. and learned Friend aware that dissatisfaction was caused in the North African Forces because men were allowed to think before the battle that there would be a reasonable chance of their getting home afterwards, only to be told that it would not be possible? Would it not be possible in future to see that there is not this misunderstanding?

Mr. Henderson

I have not seen any evidence which justifies my hon. Friend's statement.

Mr. Hogg

I will send some.