HC Deb 19 February 1946 vol 419 cc941-2
19. Major Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons for not instituting periodical leave of personnel of C.M.F. on the same lines as that enjoyed by personnel of B.A.O.R.

86. Colonel Wheatley

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider increasing the leave granted to the Forces serving with C.M.F., in order that they may receive the same treatment in this respect as those serving with B.A.O.R.

Mr. Lawson

I would refer the hon. and gallant Members to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) on 29th January.

Major Boyd-Carpenter

As the right hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware that there is already daily railway and air communication with Northern Italy, will he not reconsider this matter?

Mr. Lawson

Questions of distance and transport, which are involved in this matter, are kept under consideration, I can assure the hon. and gallant Member.

Colonel Wheatley

Is the Minister aware that troops in C.M.F. consider it a very great hardship and that it is unfair to them?

Mr. Lawson

I have looked into this matter and do not see how I can make an improvement, any more than I can in other Commands, for example, the M.E.F.