§ Mr. T. Smithasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the rule that men serving in the Army are entitled in each year to four periods of leave of seven days each, with two free railway vouchers and a week-end pass for six weeks or, if not, whether he will state the existing 1527W practice; and whether he is aware that there are men who joined up in July, 1940, who have had only one week's leave since?
§ Mr. LawWhile there is no entitlement to leave in the Army, every effort is made to allow all ranks to proceed on leave as often as possible provided that not more than 10 per cent. of a unit is away at any one time. Within this maximum 7½ per cent. are allowed to be on seven days' leave, leaving the remaining 2½ per cent, for leave on short pass. On this basis the maximum opportunity for seven days' leave occurs roughly four times a year and for leave on short pass about five times a year. All ranks are allowed two free travelling warrants a year for ordinary leave. All leave is, of course, subject to the exigencies of the Service, but, in practice, cases in which the maximum amount of leave is not taken are exceptional. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the individuals to whom he refers in the second part of the Question, I shall be very glad to look into the matter