§ Captain CARR-GOMMasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the percentage of officers and other ranks employed on staff duties or behind brigades in the Salonika Army who have had leave between 1st July, 1916, and 31st December, 1917, and what is the percentage of regimental officers and other ranks who have had leave during the same period?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI regret there is no information available as to the percentage of officers and men who have had leave between the dates mentioned, distinguishing staff from regimental, but I think my hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in suggesting that the staff are unduly favoured. I am informed by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief that his arrangements were directed to giving the main facilities to the regimental officers and men, but that, unfortunately, his plans were dislocated owing to the Italian reverse. As I explained, however, when introducing the Army Estimates, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief is most anxious that the leave arrangements should be improved as much as possible, and, with the assistance of the Admiralty and Ministry of Shipping, the transport facilities will now, I understand, be increased, which will enable an increased number to go on leave.