§ 18. Mr. Thomas Brooksasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the complaints of the forces serving in Greece regarding the recent decision to put them under G.H.Q., Cairo Command and Middle East leave scheme which only gives one home leave in 18 months; whereas C.M.F. was one home leave in 12 months and men in B.A.O.R. can get home leave every few months; and if he will take steps to remedy this injustice to the men and their families.
§ Mr. LawsonUnder the present rules in both C.M.F. and M.E.F. one period only of 28 days' leave is allowed during the overseas tour, which is at the moment three years nine months. I hope to make an announcement very shortly on the future arrangements for leave from overseas generally.
§ Mr. BrooksWill the Minister answer the Question? The point is that leave for home has been put up to 18 months and others have been having leave in 12 months. What about the families of these men who have to go six months longer before they can get home? Surely we have not had an answer to the Question.
§ Mr. LawsonI think probably next week I will be able to give a very useful answer.
§ Mr. BrooksI do not want an answer next week. Can the Minister tell us something about this matter? Is it true that the home holiday for these men has been put up to 18 months, and that it has been 12 months? That is my information from the soldiers. Has the figure been put up to 18 months? Why should it not be put to 12 months to make them all alike?
§ Mr. LawsonI understand that it is 18 months before they are eligible. I do not know much about the circumstances, but I will look into it.