§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to secure leave for Company Quartermaster-sergeant W. Cockshoot, No. 362205800 Area Employment Company, Labour Corps, Cairo, who has had no leave for four years, and applications made by the man's wife to the commanding officer of the company having proved futile?
Sir MONTAGUE BARLOWasked the Under-Secretary of State for War, with regard to the case of Private Stephen Johnson, No. 9360, D company, 1st garrison battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, aged forty-nine, whether he is aware that he has been in Egypt serving continuously since Christmas, 1914; that he has a wife and two children residing at No. 4, Maymus Street, Cross Lane, Salford; whether leave is now being given to some of the troops in Egypt; and whether married men like Private Johnson should have the first claim for consideration for leave?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIn answer to these questions I would refer to my reply on the 17th October, to my Noble Friend the Member for Nottingham (South). I need hardly point out that the grant of leave is necessarily dependent on a variety of conditions which still prevail after the cessation of hostilities in a theatre of war, but I hope it may be possible to increase2142W the transport facilities to enable a larger number of men who are serving in Egypt to receive leave in the near future. I regret I cannot take any special action in individual cases such as those referred to by my hon. Friend.
Major TERRELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private G. W. Harvey, No. 136656, Army Service Corps Mechanical Transport, 347th Company, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Egypt, has served in Egypt for over two years and nine months without leave; that he had applied for leave to attend to urgent private affairs; and whether he will consider the possibility, having due regard to the exigencies of the Service, of granting this soldier short home leave?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONInquiries are being made into this case, and I will write to my hon. and gallant Friend later.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the improved war situation and the fact that six months' leave in Australia is being granted to members of the Australian Forces who have been on active service since the outbreak of war, he will arrange to give the option of either six months' leave or transference to permanent home service to all survivors overseas of the original British Expeditionary Force?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that if and when the situation admits of such treatment these men will be among the first to be considered for leave.