Sir L. HARMSWORTHasked the Secretary of State for War if he can see his way to secure the adoption of an arrangement whereby members of any of the Colonial armed forces, born in this country, could secure leave to visit their relatives and friends in this country before being returned overseas?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 17th February to a similar question asked by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ludlow, to the effect that sanction had been given for a limited number of soldiers serving with the Australian Imperial Force in Egypt to be granted leave to the United Kingdom, priority being given to men who have relatives in this country. The concession has now been extended to New Zealanders and South Africans serving in Egypt. Shipping conditions do not admit of the privilege being further extended at present.