§ Mr. ANDERSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there were on 31st May, 1918, upwards of 120 men in an Army signal company, British Expeditionary Force, who had not been on leave for over twelve months; and whether he will endeavour to arrange after this period of service that they may have an early opportunity of seeing their families?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have explained on several occasions recently that the allocation of leave to the troops in France is entirely a matter for the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief. As I stated in answer to questions on the 24th July, to which I would refer my hon. Friend, since the German offensive began in March last, the facilities for leave have necessarily been greatly restricted. From the 20th of last month, however, these restrictions have been somewhat relaxed, but it is not possible at present to revert to the arrangements which existed prior to March. I know that the Commander-in-Chief gives every consideration possible to the claims of those men who have been longest without leave. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on the question of leave from the various fronts later in the week.