§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new regulations he has introduced about leave entitlement following postings outside the UK; and if he will make a statement. [91567]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonOn 19 July we announced the rationalisation of our forces in Kosovo, and are also introducing a number of welfare enhancements for personnel serving on operations in the Balkans and elsewhere. Among these is a guaranteed period of leave when personnel return from operational detachment. In the case of the Army, for instance, personnel who have completed a six month detachment will receive 20 working days post operational tour leave over and above their normal leave allowance.
Personnel in the other services will also be given extra time off, the period being governed by the time spent on detachment and the conditions under which they have worked. This will ensure that personnel returning from operations can spend time with their families and be fully rested before undertaking further duties.