§ Captain BRACKENBURYasked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that a large number of men were recalled from the farms in May last who were soldiers and either the son or a relation of a man who had an interest in a farm or small holding either as partner or prospective occupier, whether he can see his way to allow furlough for harvest in the case of these men if vouched for by the Agricultural Executive Committee, although they may not be stationed in Great Britain; and, if he cannot accede to this, whether he will agree to entertain a recommendation of the Agricultural Executive Committee for the temporary release of a soldier where the farm or small holding is left by the soldier's absence in the sole occupation of a widow?
§ Mr. FORSTERAll Commands at home have been notified that paragraph 59 of the King's Regulations may be observed, and that soldiers may be employed in harvest work provided their employment is in the locality in which they are stationed, and that their duties are not thereby interfered with. Further, all Commands at home have been notified that leave for a period of seven days may be granted by commanding officers to soldiers for the purpose of haymaking or collecting the harvest. This leave may be extended by commanding officers at their discretion. It is, however, regretted that this leave cannot be granted to soldiers on leave from the Army of the Rhine, or from France and Flanders.