Sir F. HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner H, E. Hohedge, No. 20763, who joined the Royal Field Artillery in May, 1915, has seen service in France, India, Mesopotamia, and Egypt, has now been sent back to France and has had no leave since originally going overseas; and, if so, whether, considering that his mother is dangerously ill, instructions may be given for him to be sent home on leave immediately, in order that he may have an opportunity of visiting her?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am writing to my hon. and gallant Friend regarding this case.
§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he will give instructions, as leave from the French Front appears to be merely a matter of transport accommodation, that unnecessary kit, which now takes up so much room, be left behind at the base to be picked up by the men on return?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on the 18th October last to the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin, to which I would add that a soldier is only permitted to bring necessary kit with him when coming on leave.
§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Undersecretary of State for War why so many 1875W regimental officers and men in France are still unable to have leave at least once in six months; and will he state the average number of months in which regimental officers and men have served in France without leave during the past twelve months?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAs I have stated in reply to several questions on this subject recently, owing to the present military situation on the Western Front the grant of leave to officers and men serving in France is very much restricted. I have no information which would enable me to answer the last part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, and I do not think I should be justified in asking the military authorities in France to furnish me with such a return at the present time.