§ Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that repeated applications were made to him on medical advice on 19th May last for leave from France for two soldiers 1766W named Miller, No. 27120 and No. 8885, of the Highland Light Infantry and 5th Scottish Rifles, respectively, on account of the illness of their widowed mother; that these applications were repeated to him on 26th May without effect; that the mother died on 27th May, and repeated telegrams were sent to him for leave for the two soldiers to attend their mother's funeral on 31st May; and, seeing that no notice was taken by him of these personal communications, will he say whether this is still the system that holds in his Department on the question of leave for soldiers in such circumstances?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONApplication for special leave to be granted was made to the military authorities in France on receipt of the letter dated 19th May, 1917. In such cases no reply is expected at the War Office, it being understood that leave is granted if the exigencies of the Service permit. In this case it must be assumed that the military situation did not allow of it. The procedure of asking for special leave in such cases still holds good. With regard to the charge that I took no notice of these personal communications, may I say that I wrote on two occasions in reply to the only two letters which were addressed to me. There were two telegrams sent—one to the Secretary of the War Office, which I would not, of course, see; and one to me. The latter was answered by the letters referred to above.
§ Mr. BROOKESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will consider the possibility of making a free gift of the 15s. 6d. over and above his ration money of 24s. 6d. handed in the £2 advance to the soldier who asks for it on arrival in this country on furlough, so that he may feel the State wishes him to make the best use of his fourteen days' leave?
§ Mr. FORSTERI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to his question on this subject on the 24th instant.
§ Mr. BROOKESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, on Saturday last, 2,000 men were detained on crossing to England by a slight mishap to their escort, and could not as a result leave London on Sunday till nearly midday, this only reaching home on Sunday night; and, if so, whether, as the Saturday and the Sunday both ordinarily count as days of their leave, they will receive an extra day?
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§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am afraid that any concessions to the sufferers from this unfortunate occurrence could only be made at the expense of their comrades with an equal claim. I would remind my hon. Friend that the leave period has been extended recently to fourteen days.
§ Mr. BROOKESasked whether the War Office has arranged for the pay books of all men on leave now being brought back with them from the front, with the object of having them brought up to date at the various pay depots and remittances for any amounts due at once forwarded to the men for use while on furlough?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe soldiers' pay book is intended to remain in his possession. The facilities already given for obtaining sufficient cash while on furlough are considered adequate.