Major DAVIESasked whether Army Council Instruction No. 1,564 entirely prohibits week-end railway travelling by soldiers or whether it is only intended to minimise the amount of military week-end leave; and whether in the Western Command it has been construed to mean the total prohibition of all week-end leave to officers and men?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONWeek-end railway travelling is prohibited for soldiers serving at home, except in special circum-824W stances. The Western Command are, therefore, correct in refusing week-end leave which entails railway travelling.
§ Sir WILLIAM PEARCEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if men on short leave from France who come into hospital at home forfeit the balance of their leave when discharged from hospital; and, if so, whether this will be remedied in future?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONTime spent in hospital under these circumstances counts as a portion of the original leave, and no extension is given. It is not proposed to alter this practice. I sympathise with the individuals so placed, but it is to be remembered that any alteration would be at the expense of other soldiers with an equally good claim to leave.