HC Deb 24 July 1956 vol 557 cc182-3
6. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for War how many members of Her Majesty's Forces belonging to Scottish units now serving in Cyprus have applied for permission to spend their leave in Great Britain; how many of these applications have been granted and on what financial and other conditions; and how many of the applicants have in fact spent their leave in Great Britain.

Mr. Head

About 75 have paid then-own fares and have come home from Cyprus for leave. A few applications have been refused, mainly for absence without leave.

Mr. Hughes

Apart from those who have paid their own fares, what arrangements are made in these cases for the transport home of such soldiers?

Mr. Head

On the free leave scheme?

Mr. Hughes

Yes.

Mr. Head

Men who qualify for the free leave scheme are transported home by the trooping service, but this battalion has been out there only a year, and so the men do not qualify for this scheme yet.