§ Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for War why passes of even less than 36 hours are counted as 48 hours thereby disqualifying a man from claiming nine days when privilege have is due?
§ Sir J. GriggMy hon. Friend is, I think, referring to the provision that, where a man has not taken leave on short pass since his last privilege leave, his commanding officer may at his discretion, and subject to certain conditions, add 48 hours to his next privilege leave. There is no entitlement to such addition. Forty-eight hours is the normal period for leave on short pass, but it is not a right and the exigencies of the service may sometimes curtail it. If, however, my hon. Friend believes that it has in particular cases been curtailed unnecessarily and will give me details, I will make inquiries.