§ 19. Mr. Douglas Marshallasked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider giving special operational home leave to all the fighting Forces serving in Palestine on their withdrawal from that area.
§ Mr. ShinwellI regret that I cannot adopt this suggestion.
§ Mr. MarshallIs the Minister aware of the danger, restraint and difficulties which our fighting men have to suffer in Palestine, and will he reconsider it?
§ Mr. ShinwellNo one is more conscious than I of the excessive strain to which our men in Palestine have been subjected, and we are in full sympathy with them in that position. It does not follow, because a soldier is engaged on active service that 1943 immediately following upon it he should be granted operational leave. Apart from that there are physical difficulties, such as shipping obstacles, which stand in the way.
§ Major Legge-BourkeAre we to understand from the reply of the Minister that when our troops arc withdrawn they will not be returning to the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. ShinwellWhen troops are evacuated from Palestine they will proceed to areas which have been decided upon.
§ Mr. Thornton-KemsleyWas it not in accordance with an invariable practice during the war to give troops withdrawn from overseas stations the opportunity of having some leave at home, particularly after dangerous duties of the kind undergone by these men?
§ Mr. ShinwellAll possible leave facilities will be provided for evacuated troops in the area, but it is impossible, because of physical difficulties which must be obvious to everybody, to provide operational leave in the United Kingdom.