§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if something can be done to grant leave at the earliest opportunity to men of the 82nd Labour Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, who were sent out in March, 1917, without draft leave, and many of whom have never been home for over two years?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy hon. Friend will realise that the recent fighting has necessitated the curtailment, to a very great extent, of the facilities for granting leave to the troops in France. It is not possible to say when the military exigencies will permit of a resumption of this privilege, but I am sure that when the time does come the Commander-in-Chief will give every consideration to the cases of those soldiers whose leave has been necessarily postponed.