§ Sir Smedley Crookeasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the practice, except in circumstances of emergency, for soldiers serving in the Home Forces to be granted leave at three-monthly intervals, he is aware of any cases in the present year in which intervals have exceeded six months; whether extended leave may be granted in cases where intervals have been unduly prolonged; whether, after the transfer of a soldier from one unit to another it is a condition authorised by the Army Council that there must be a period of three months' service in the latter unit before leave may be granted; and whether there is any appeal available to a soldier who is unable to obtain a grant of leave from his commanding officer?
§ Mr. SandysWith the exception of personnel undergoing specialist courses, I am not aware of any case in which a soldier serving at home has been unable to obtain leave for more than six months. I am afraid that it would not be possible to grant extended leave without postponing the leave of other soldiers in the same unit. A soldier transferred to another unit counts his service in his old unit for leave purposes. With regard to the last part of the Question, the procedure by which a soldier may seek redress of a grievance is laid down in Section 43 of the Army Act.