HC Deb 21 October 1918 vol 110 cc450-2W
Sir J. D. REES

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to ensure that all men in the Army, and particularly those of the Notts and Derby Regiment, have equal opportunity, so far as the exigencies of the Service allow, of obtaining leave home to visit their families?

Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Claude Flint, No. 35666, Herefords, at present serving in France, has served abroad in Egypt, Italy, and France for three years without once obtaining leave; and whether he will at once take steps to secure that not only this man but others who have served abroad for two years shall have leave granted them?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Every endeavour is being made to alleviate the position as to leave, and I would refer my hon. Friends to the answers which I gave on the subject on Wednesday and Thursday last. In the case of Italy and the Eastern theatres of war arrangements have recently been made by which the Admiralty has increased, as far as possible, transport facilities. I think that the following figures, which show the numbers who have received a period of leave since the 1st January last, will interest the House:

From France 1,061,247
From Italy 27,633
From Salonika 15,820
From Egypt 2,481

In regard to Egypt, as I stated on Thursday, owing to the recent operations which are still in progress, it has not been possible to take full advantage of the recent transport facilities afforded by the Admiralty. As regards the question by my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham (East), there is no reason to suppose that the Notts and Derby Regiment has been placed on a different footing as regards the allotment of leave to that of any other corps. I can assure the House that the Commanders-in-Chief of the various Expeditionary Forces make every en-deavour to ensure that all men are considered in turn for a period of leave.

Viscount WOLMER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the travelling expenses caused to officers and men stationed in Ireland going on leave, they will be granted a free railway warrant to their homes once in every six months as is now the case of those troops stationed in France?

Mr. FORSTER

Men stationed in Ireland who are liable for service overseas are already in enjoyment of this privilege. As regards other men, I fear it would not be practicable to differentiate in this matter between Ireland and other parts of the United Kingdom.