Colonel Evansasked the Secretary of State for War whether the practice in the last war of granting free railway passes to soldiers on official leave is to be followed during the present war; and whether authority for this will be made to units forthwith?
§ Mr. W. H. Greenasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the possibility of supplying soldiers with a free military warrant to travel to their homes, particularly in cases where they are having their final leave prior to embarking for France, as this would remove the hardship experienced by many soldiers who find the fares which they have to pay to visit their homes absorbs a large proportion of the week's pay received by them prior to their embarkation?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI am glad to announce that a free warrant will be issued to all ranks serving in France granted leave after certain periods of service there, and troops in this country will also be granted a free warrant for leave prior to embarkation for overseas. For other journeys on leave in this country, troops will be able to use the concession vouchers issued by the railways which provide for a return journey at single fare. It will, of course, be understood that the grant of leave will be subject to the exigencies of the service.