§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers on service in Ireland have to pay the full return fares when they come home on leave; that in consequence of such fares amounting to several pounds a large number of men, some of whom have been in Ireland for more than two years, 1479W have been unable to visit their friends in Great Britain; and whether he will take steps to alleviate this hardship by arranging for reduced fares for men going on leave?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSYes, Sir; I am aware that full fares have now to be paid by these soldiers when going home on furlough. The concessions under which such private travelling was previously permitted at the public expense have had to be withdrawn in the interests of essential economy, and I much regret that I do not see my way to re-introduce them.